phone 03 6231 0755

fax 03 6223 6136

postal PO Box 1126

Sandy Bay

Tas 7006

www.tascoss.org.au

Submission to

Tasmanian Multicultural Policy Review Many Voices 10 July 2013

About TasCOSS

TasCOSS is the peak body for the Tasmanian community

services sector. Its membership comprises individuals and

organisations active in the provision of community services

to low-income, vulnerable and disadvantaged Tasmanians.

TasCOSS represents the interests of its members and their

clients to government, regulators, the media and the

public. Through our advocacy and policy development,

we draw attention to the causes of poverty and

disadvantage and promote the adoption of effective

solutions to address these issues.

Authorised by

Tony Reidy, Chief Executive

For inquiries

Wynne Russell, Policy and Research

Officer, wynne@tascoss.org.au

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TasCOSS Multicultural Policy Review

TasCOSS Insert Report title here

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Tasmanian Multicultural Policy Review.

TasCOSS commends the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to promoting and

supporting the development of the state as a diverse and multicultural society through a

commitment to equality of opportunity and access for all Tasmanians.

As TasCOSS has already participated in discussions around the development of the Many

Voices discussion paper, our comments at this stage will be relatively brief and focus on the

principles on which the Policy is based.

Equality of outcomes

TasCOSS strongly supports the Multicultural Policy’s commitment to equality of access to

services, as articulated in Principle 2 of the existing Policy. However, we argue equally

strongly that access is only one half of the equation, and that equality of outcomes must

receive equal commitment. As a consequence, we would suggest rewording Principle 2 to

read “Fair access to and equal outcomes from Tasmanian and local Government services.”

We also note that ‘services’ should be defined in the Policy as encompassing not only

human services, but also spatial planning, since (for instance) migrant communities may

have distinct ideas about where they would like to see public space located, or how they

would like to see public space organised (provision of different types of sports grounds, for

instance).

For the Government to be able to monitor and evaluate its success in implementing this

principle, all Tasmanian government services should collect data on where clients were born,

and monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programs for culturally and

linguistically diverse communities. We note that at least two possible mechanisms exist for

such monitoring and evaluation: use studies and equality impact assessments.

Use studies can give an idea of who is NOT using a service or a space, which in turn

can lead to surveys asking “What is it about the design of this that prevents you from

using it?”

Equality impact assessments can ask:

o Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake by different

groups?

o Do different groups have different needs, experiences, issues and priorities in

relation to the issue at hand?

o Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals brought

to light particular areas where policies could help overcome problems?

o Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals indicated

that particular policies create problems that are specific to them?1

In the policy or program formulation stage, social impact assessments can examine the

socioeconomic impact, including by cultural or linguistic background, of proposed policies

and projects, as well as of private-sector initiatives such as development applications. Social

impact assessments need to take a full cost-benefit approach including both best- and

worst-case scenarios and extending across all social groups, avoiding a bias towards best-

case scenarios and benefits for the already advantaged.

1 Royal Town Planning Institute (2007), RTPI Good Practice Note 7,

http://www.rtpi.org.uk/download/3322/GPN7.pdf

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TasCOSS Multicultural Policy Review

TasCOSS Insert Report title here

Universal responsibility

TasCOSS believes that for all Tasmanian Government departments to fully embrace the

principles behind the Multicultural Policy, it is necessary to make it clear that addressing

diversity is everyone’s responsibility, not simply that of (for example) the Department of

Health and Human Services. While this point may not need to be articulated as a separate

principle, it needs to be clearly specified at all relevant points in the document, including

(but not limited to) in Principle 2.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Many Voices discussion paper. We

appreciate being included in these consultations, and are happy to provide any additional

information required.