Multiculturalism is about all of us. It is about how we, collectively, value our diversity and protect those who may be most vulnerable to exclusion, due to factors like recent arrival, language and access to services. For effective multiculturalism, stereotyping of groups and other forms of prejudice based on culture, ethnicity, religion and social practices, need to be addressed. It is only then that a truly inclusive democratic society can be established in Western Australia where social justice and equality of opportunity are a reality.

Currently, there are many misconceptions about multiculturalism. Some people believe that multiculturalism is about "exotic" people from other parts of the world who have chosen to make Australia their home, or that multiculturalism is about the traditional aspects of different cultures.

Australian society is multicultural and all of us are equally Australian. Therefore multiculturalism is not about tolerance, but about respect for one another and equality and social justice for all.

The role of the Office of Multicultural Interests is to work towards eliminating factors that prevent social justice for all Western Australians. We will do this by listening to and working closely with communities and individuals, and advocating on their behalf with the public and private sector, non-government service providers and the wider community. Through our endeavours we are striving to build stronger communities so that all of us can benefit from the opportunities of multiculturalism and have the capacity to confront its challenges.