Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee On The Elimination Of Racial Discrimination, 30 October 2017 60. The Commission notes that Parliament may be well positioned to clarify the meaning of multiculturalism in Australia and that an annual parliamentary statement of multicultural principles may be an appropriate mechanism for a regular re-commitment to multicultural values and cultural diversity. In 2016 Parliament reiterated its ‘commitment to maintaining Australia as a culturally diverse, tolerant and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation, and its democratic institutions and values’.58 Recommendation 13: That the Australian Parliament consider further public recognition of Australian multiculturalism, including periodic public statements affirming parliamentarians’ support of a multicultural Australia. (c) Policy machinery (CERD article 2; CO 14) 61. The Commission considers that the Australian Government can strengthen the policy machinery for multiculturalism. An Office of Multicultural Affairs functioned in the 1980s and 1990s. Such an office would ensure coordinated leadership on multicultural affairs and, if established in an appropriate departmental home (such as the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet), would send a strong message about multiculturalism being a policy priority. 62. The Commission also notes that the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism recommended that the Australian Government, in consultation with relevant government, non-government and community bodies, consider developing and implementing federal legislation to establish an ongoing Multicultural Commission that is sufficiently resourced to promote and protect multiculturalism throughout Australia, ensuring that all Australians recognise that multiculturalism is essential to the fabric of the Australian nation. 59 Recommendation 14: That the Australian Government strengthen the policy machinery of Australian multiculturalism, including through the re-establishment of an Office of Multicultural Affairs. (d) Citizenship requirements (CERD article 2; CO 14) 63. The Commission is concerned about the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth), which, if passed, will make it more difficult to obtain Australian citizenship by: imposing additional requirements on people seeking to obtain Australian citizenship by conferral;60 centralising discretionary power in the hands of the Minister to make decisions about who should and who should not be an Australian citizen, with very limited rights of external review; and reducing the ability of particular groups of people to qualify for citizenship.61 64. A Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry into the Bill recommended that the Senate pass the Bill subject to numerous proposed amendments, including lowering the standard for English-level competency.62 The Senate Select Committee for Strengthening Multiculturalism, however, recommended that the Bill not be passed.63 14