WA Charter of
Multiculturalism
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The Western Australian Charter of Multiculturalism was endorsed by Cabinet as State Government policy on 15 October 2004

The Charter articulates the State Government’s commitment to the principles of multiculturalism and is based on the fundamental principle that a just and fair society must be based on democracy, equality and respect for all its members.

Aim of the Western Australian Charter of Multiculturalism

Previously, multicultural policy focussed on cultural pluralism, a narrow, traditional approach that emphasised cultural practices, such as food, song and dance. Cultural pluralism places emphasis on the outward trappings of difference and thereby relegated multiculturalism to the status of an ethnic minority issue with little or no impact on the wider Western Australian community.

The Charter represents a significant shift in the direction of multicultural policy in Western Australia. Its central tenet is that multiculturalism is about all of us. Multiculturalism is about achieving social cohesion with justice and equity for all citizens. Multiculturalism is not about ethnic minority groups, but rather it is about ensuring that all members of the community have equitable access to services, employment opportunities and adequate health care. The Charter seeks to do this by putting the focus on democratic pluralism, which affirms the shared rights and responsibilities of all Western Australians, while recognising our differences.

Democratic pluralism recognises that difference exists, both at an institutional and individual level, including social, cultural, political, religious and economic difference. It explicitly takes into account the varying needs that may arise from these differences and acknowledges that different needs require different solutions.

Framed within a broadened view of citizenship in a democratic pluralistic society, the Charter enshrines the values and ideals of a liberal democracy. The hallmark of a democracy is to ensure that all its citizens have equal rights and responsibilities so that they can participate fully in social, economic and cultural life. However, the Charter also recognises the need to move beyond this formal view of citizenship, which does not address the differing needs of citizens, to democratic citizenship where individuals not only have legal rights, but also have the opportunity to practise their rights, have their individual needs met and participate fully in democratic governance.