Labor welcomes the Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion survey for 2014.

The 2014 Scanlon-Monash Index of Social Cohesion (SMI) measures the level of social cohesion across five core domains, including: belonging, worth, social justice, participation and acceptance and rejection.

The 2014 SMI registered only minor change from the 2013 level, up from 88.5 to 89.5 in 2014.

This year’s survey also finds high levels of support for multiculturalism in Australia.

According to the survey, 85 per cent respondents either agree or strongly agree that multiculturalism has been good for Australia.

There was also a significant increase in the proportion of respondents that expressed ‘strong agreement’ that multiculturalism has been good for Australia, up from 32 per cent to 37 per cent.

This year’s survey also highlights some concerning negative findings, including high levels of reported experiences of discrimination. This reinforces the need for all political and community leaders to foster inclusive and cohesive communities and stand up against racial discrimination. 

I congratulate the Scanlon Foundation, Monash University and the Australian Multicultural Foundation on this comprehensive work which helps to define the challenges facing Australia, and in turn help foster evidence-based public policy.

Labor is proud of Australia’s rich diversity and will always defend multiculturalism as a force for cultural, social and economic good.

WEDNESDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2014