A testing year for Australia’s social cohesion as multiculturalism debate grows louder

A good overview of multiculturalism in Australia:

[Racial discrimination commissioner] Soutphommasane warns against taking an overly positive “Pollyanna” view of social cohesion.

“It would be foolish to be too optimistic or too defeatist,” he says, adding that predictions of multiculturalism’s “terminal decline” are baseless.

“There’s no doubt that there are challenges at the moment, but the strength of our multiculturalism shouldn’t be undermined,” Soutphommasane says. “We are dealing with profound challenges, but from a position of strength.”

Fierravanti-Wells agrees, noting that Australian society has faced bumps in the road before, but has always been able to draw on its reserves to get through.

Rowland has faith in the people, and in the country’s laws on inclusion and diversity, which have not changed despite the often heavy-handed rhetoric espoused by individual politicians.

“Our legislative structure has remained fairly consistent,” she says.

“For every negative reaction, there was a positive reaction from the whole of community,” he says.

But he thinks debate on multiculturalism and what it means to be Australian should not be gagged.

“Let’s talk about the challenges and what’s uncomfortable to talk about. We are ready for that.”