Multicultural Action Plan 2021-22
Background
- ‘Our story, our future’ is the Queensland Government’s Multicultural Policy (the Policy) promoting an inclusive, harmonious and united community for Queensland.
- The Policy focuses Queensland Government action on three policy priorities for culturally diverse communities and Queensland as a whole – (1) achieving culturally responsive government, (2) supporting inclusive, harmonious and united communities and (3) improving economic opportunities.
- The Queensland Multicultural Action Plan 2019-20 to 2021-22 (the Action Plan) is the second Multicultural Action Plan released under Multicultural Recognition Act 2016 (the Act). It builds on outcomes achieved under the first Multicultural Action Plan, and will continue to drive Queensland Government action to support an environment of opportunity and achieve improved social and economic outcomes for people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- The Policy and Action Plan are a requirement of the Act and represent one of three key provisions of the Act, together with establishment of the Multicultural Queensland Charter and Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council.
- Section 24 of the Act requires entities with actions in the Action Plan to report publicly on an annual basis. The report below fulfils this requirement for 2020-21 for Legal Aid Queensland
Notes:
2021-22 report
Priority area 1: Culturally responsive government
Outcomes:
- Improve knowledge about customers’ diversity
- Culturally capable services and programs
- A productive, culturally capable and diverse workforce
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Action
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Responsible agency
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Timeframe
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Progress status for 2022-22
Legend:
- On track
- Completed
- Yet to commence
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Achievements and outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
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Develop and promote specific resources to improve access for customers from culturally diverse backgrounds.
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LAQ and DJAG
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2019–22
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Publish relevant resources including factsheets and guides in languages other than English.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ’s website content, containing publications and legal information, is available in about 100 languages through a translation tool, ‘ReachDeck;
LAQ distributes translated legal information to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
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Provide access to legal information via the agency’s website, which can be translated into 100 different languages and has the option for audio translation.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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See above.
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Provide free interpreter services to clients for the provision of legal information and advice services.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ provides interpreter services for clients in accordance with the Queensland Government’s ‘Language Services Policy’.
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Participate in community events and provide community legal education (CLE) when requested.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ delivers CLE sessions on common legal topics to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in a TAFE and settlement support setting.
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Increase cultural understanding and capability of staff by providing access to events, training and development opportunities.
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All agencies
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2019–22
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Promote opportunities for staff to build cultural capability when working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds through implementation of the agency’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ has embedded cultural awareness into its induction program and continues to build cultural capability learning pathways.
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Commit to increasing all forms of diversity on Queensland Government boards.
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All agencies
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2019–22
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N/A
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LAQ does not appoint its own Board members however the current Board includes a Board member that identifies as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (20%).
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Priority area 2: Inclusive, harmonious and united communities
Outcomes:
- Recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture
- Queenslanders celebrate our multicultural identity
- Connected and resilient communities
- A respectful and inclusive narrative about diversity
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Action
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Responsible agency
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Timeframe
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Progress status for 2020-21
Legend:
- On track
- Completed
- Yet to commence
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Achievements and outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
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Promote the Multicultural Queensland Charter to government agency staff and consider its principles when developing policies or providing services.
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All agencies
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2019–22
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Raise awareness of the Multicultural Queensland Charter by continually updating the agency’s website to include action plan items from the Queensland Multicultural Action Plan 2019–20 to 2021–22 and providing information on the agency’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ publishes its Multicultural Action Plan on its website and also externally publishes its First Nations Strategic Plan. LAQ also publishes its approach to diversity and inclusion in the new employee guide on the work for us web page.
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Consider the Multicultural Queensland Charter when planning and developing service delivery models and policies.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ has published the Charter on its intranet for all employees to access and it is promoted through its workforce strategy and workforce action planning.
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Embed Multicultural Queensland Charter principles in the agency’s human resources policy and procedures as they are reviewed.
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LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ has incorporated considering the Charter into workforce action planning and its review of policy and procedures.
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Sign up and participate in the Australian Human Rights Commission Racism. It stops with me campaign.
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All agencies
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ promotes the Australian Human Rights Commission ‘Racism, it stops with me’ campaign and messaging across the organisation.
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Priority area 3: Economic opportunities
Outcomes:
- Queensland gets the most benefit from our diversity and global connections
- Individuals supported to participate in the economy
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Action
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Responsible agency
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Timeframe
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Progress status for 2021-22
Legend:
- On track
- Completed
- Yet to commence
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Achievements and outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
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Provide pathways to employment in the Queensland Public Sector for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum, such as through work experience, internships or targeted recruitment.
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Multiple agencies, including LAQ
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2019–22
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Completed
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LAQ undertook a work experience program for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum in partnership with Multicultural Australia.
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Last updated 29 September 2023