Anne Aly, the federal minister responsible for multicultural affairs, stated that the responsibility for social cohesion in Australia should be shared and not attributed solely to multicultural communities. She mentioned to SBS News that the focus on social cohesion had affected migrant groups.

Aly said Australia should remain “vigilant about social cohesion”.

“Multiculturalism isn’t solely about social cohesion, and multicultural communities aren’t solely responsible for social cohesion,” she noted. “Social cohesion involves everyone. Assigning total responsibility for social cohesion to multicultural communities, I believe, has contributed to the perception that these communities are overly securitized and accountable for social cohesion issues.”

A review from last year also highlighted concerns about the Department of Home Affairs, indicating that communities felt monitored or managed instead of supported. “This is why we’ve established this office, to create a distinct focus on Multicultural Affairs, bringing it to the forefront within the department, the caucus, and the broader government,” she added.

“Although it is sitting within Home Affairs that we [need to] ensure that there is more of an inclusive approach and more celebratory approach, rather than giving the feeling or the sense that there is an approach of monitoring or creating marginalisation.”