Senate Estimates have revealed the Abbott-Turnbull Government remains a policy-free zone, this time in relation to multiculturalism.

Over 800 days into the Government and the best they can offer up is:

“...we don’t want to rush the process so we will be taking our time”

      Senator Concetta Fierravanti Wells - Senate Estimates - 11 February 2016

There is certainly no danger of that happening.

Unlike the Government, Labor values the economic, social and cultural contribution of new migrants to Australia.

Our commitment to multiculturalism is in our DNA. It’s captured in the current multicultural policy, a Labor government document currently available on the Department of Social Services website.

The Abbott-Turnbull Government’s complete inaction on multicultural policy, coupled with their swingeing $11.3 million cut to important programs such as Building Multicultural Communities, shows their true intention.

Allowing backbenchers to harp and agitate on watering down Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and railing against multiculturalism is not leadership.

The vast majority of Australians know Australia is the most successful multicultural country in the world. Malcolm Turnbull is prepared to talk about multiculturalism but he isn’t prepared to act.

THURSDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2016