Multiculturalism

Jesse J. Fleay, Editor-in-Chief, Research and Policy

Australia is a nation built from many journeys. From the world’s oldest continuous cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Nations peoples, to the generations of migration that followed, our shared story has always been one of diversity.

Multiculturalism is not merely an ornamental facet of Australian life—it is foundational to who we are as Australians. It reflects the simple principle of fairness: that no matter where you come from, you deserve the same dignity, opportunity, and respect as anyone else. This is not a mere ideal, it is federal law.

Fairness is a value which Australians hold deeply. As Australians, we pride ourselves on being a nation of opportunities, and multiculturalism is the living proof of that value. The Australian Prosperity Institute maintains the foundational belief that a person’s cultural background should never be a barrier, and that all Australians benefit when everyone has the chance to contribute. 

Multiculturalism also strengthens our democracy and our mixed market economy. Multiculturalism has founded flourishing communities rich in languages, food, and traditions. Multiculturalism sparks innovation, bringing together different perspectives and problem-solving approaches for a range of pressing national issues.

Multiculturalism allows Australians to engage confidently with the international community, its opportunities, and its challenges, because Australia has grown through the cultures of every continent.

But above all, multiculturalism is a moral commitment. It says that our society should not privilege some while excluding others. It asks us to live up to the promise of fairness and to embrace difference not with suspicion but with pride. To celebrate multiculturalism is to celebrate the best of Australia: a country where diversity is strength, where fairness is a common language, and where every person has a place in the story of who we are becoming together.