Australian Multiculturalism: Its Emergence, Development and Highpoint (1972–1996)

This paper describes federal legislative and policy measures that Australia used to overcome White Australia and assimilation policies and replace them with non-racial immigration and multiculturalism as critical foundations of social cohesion. It examines the development of federal migration, settlement, and multicultural legislation, policies, and programs between 1972 and 1996. The paper also links the impact of international human rights laws to the legislative changes in Australia.