Two recent developments have shown that both the state and federal governments are serious about preserving the high levels of social cohesion we enjoy in Australia.
The first was the Victorian Government’s announcement it will revamp and bolster multicultural arrangements in the state.
Following a review of multiculturalism in Victoria, the government said it will establish a new statutory body called ‘Multicultural Victoria’ and appoint a new Multicultural Coordinator General to lead it.
They will be supported by two deputies, with one from regional Victoria, plus a five-member advisory council of commissioners.
Part of the new body’s responsibilities will be to develop safety plans for communities affected by serious and distressing events.
The second development was the release of the Commonwealth Government’s ‘A National Response to Islamophobia’ report.
The report contained 54 recommendations across every government agency aimed at combatting Islamophobia.
One focus of the report is Muslim women, who comprise the majority of targets of reported incidents of everyday Islamophobia, largely because of their visibility.
Many of the communities AMES works with have welcomed both of these developments.
But these same communities, are feeling uneasy over the recent anti-migration protests fuelled by misleading claims that migrants are adding to the housing affordability crisis and taking jobs.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, released last week, shows that population growth has slowed to a near-three year low, with 17,000 fewer migrants than forecast arriving in Australia in the 12 months to the end of March.
Population growth slowed to just 1.56 per cent, taking Australia’s population to 27.5 million.
At the same time, we know there are critical workforce shortages across a range of sectors.
The current shortfall of GPs in Australia will rise to 3,900 in 2028; and the undersupply of nurses will rise to almost 80,000 by 2035.
Engineers Australia has reported the nation’s engineering skills and labour shortage is at its highest level in a decade.
And Master Builders Australia says 130,000 extra tradies will be needed by 2029 to meet the growing demand for new housing.
It is obvious that part of the solution to these skill shortages will be migrants.
Melinda Collinson, CEO of AMES Australia
30 September 2025