In February 2011, the Australian Government announced Australia’s new multicultural policy – The People of Australia – which reaffirms the importance of a culturally diverse and socially cohesive nation. In March 2012, the Australian Human Rights Commission launched a wide-ranging consultation process to stimulate community debate, discussion and input to guide the development of the national anti-racism strategy.

A key component of the policy was the establishment of a partnership to develop and implement a comprehensive national anti-racism strategy for Australia. This strategy will address racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in addition to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The analysis draws on information provided during the consultation and is grouped according to the six themes identified by the Commission as possible priority areas to guide the consultation process. Other themes highlighted as priority areas during the consultations are also discussed. Across all forms of the consultation, three areas emerged as the highest priorities for the National Anti-Racism Strategy to focus its activities: education, media and employment.

Through its implementation, the National Anti-Racism Strategy intends to generate sustained momentum towards three important goals:

• more Australians will recognise that racism continues to be a serious issue in our community
• more Australians will get involved in practical action to tackle racism, wherever they see it
• individuals will have the resources they need to address racism they encounter, to access legal protections and, where necessary, to obtain redress.

The National Anti-Racism Strategy has been directly shaped by the views of Australians from all parts of the country.