COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW. v a l u e i n d i v e r s i t y. c o m m u n i t y r e l a t i o n s r e p o r t

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1 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION v a l u e i n d i v e r s i t y c o m m u n i t y r e l a t i o n s r e p o r t

2 NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT ISSN This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior permission from the Level 8, Stockland House Castlereagh St Sydney Acknowledgements Policy direction and oversight of the development of community relations in New South Wales were provided in 2003 by the For a multicultural New South Wales, chaired by Stepan Kerkyasharian, AM. The list of Commissioners appears on page 4. Direction and guidance on the implementation of EAPS during 2003 was provided by the staff of the Government Relations team, coordinated by Rosa Droescher. The Government Relations team sits within the Community Relations Service under the directorship of Richard Acheson. The following officers are acknowledged in the preparation of this Report: Patricia Giannotto, Peter Reynolds, Rosa Droescher, Ross Berghofer and Warren Duncan. Design and layout were undertaken by Daniela Voican. Photographs were provided by NSW government agencies. Warren Duncan contributed photographs on behalf of the Commission. 2 C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O R T

3 The Hon. R. J. Carr, MP Premier, Minister for Citizenship and Minister for the Arts Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place Sydney NSW 2000 The Hon. R. J. Carr MP, Premier, Minister for Citizenship and Minister for the Arts 1 March 2004 My Dear Premier I have pleasure in submitting the Community Relations Report 2003 for presentation to Parliament. The Hon. J. Hatzistergos MP, Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship The Report provides an overview of the status of community relations in New South Wales and progress made in implementing this State s Principles of Multiculturalism. The Report is prepared under section 14 of the and Principles of Multiculturalism Act Yours sincerely Stepan Kerkyasharian AM Chairperson C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O R T

4 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION as at 31 December 2003 Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian, AM Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Mr Michael Marx, AM Deputy Chairperson Ms Marta Aquino Ms Ezel Jupiter Ms Therese Le-Dang Mr Nedjelko Maruncic, OAM Ms Paula Masselos Mr Henry Pan, OAM 4 C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O R T

5 Contents Foreword... 6 Section 1 Community Relations 2003 Overview... 7 Section 2 Developments and Directions... 9 Section 3 The EAPS Standards Framework The EAPS story...35 Applying the Standards Framework...36 Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care...37 Department of Corrective Services...42 Department of Community Services...45 Department of Education and Training Department of State and Regional Development...57 NSW Health and Health System...59 Health Care Complaints Commission...72 Department of Housing...74 Department of Juvenile Justice Department of Local Government...81 Legal Aid Commission of NSW NSW Police...86 NSW Ombudsman...92 Roads and Traffic Authority...94 Department of Sport and Recreation...96 Tourism NSW...99 WorkCover Authority Section 4 Highlighting Agency Initiatives Principle Principle Principle Principle Section 5 Recognising the Linguistic and Cultural Assets of the People of New South Wales Section 6 Annual Report EAPS Compliance Appendices Appendix 1 EAPS Standards Framework Appendix 2 The Principles of Multiculturalism Appendix 3 Key Agencies under the EAPS Program in Index C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O R T

6 Foreword The Community Relations Report 2003 presents a wide spectrum of New South Wales Government initiatives and partnerships with the community, that have carried forward the implementation of this State s Principles of Multiculturalism. The results of government and community working together in 2003 show a progressive consolidation of innovative models of program provision that is in direct alignment with the philosophy underlying the and Principles of Multiculturalism Act Initiatives that commenced in 2003 such as the Youth Partnership with Pacific Island Communities have drawn from the model of the earlier Youth Partnership with Arabicspeaking Communities. Their key purpose is to bring government and community together to assist the community to identify its issues and find appropriate solutions. Other community led initiatives of social interaction such as community gardens have steadfastly multiplied and affirmed their benefits for all in local communities. As this report reflects, last year the New South Wales Government was able to respond swiftly to issues associated with the war in Iraq by bringing together government and community representatives through the Community Harmony Reference Group. At the same time, several agencies introduced important long-term measures to progress their EAPS planning and ensure a greater capacity for whole-of-government undertakings and better use of agency experience and staff expertise. Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism in rural and regional areas is a challenge which the Commission s Regional Advisory Councils and NSW government agencies in the regions are starting to meet. In this Report, for the first time, rural and regional initiatives and activities are highlighted by the use of green text to make regional content more readily identifiable. The achievements of this State detailed in the report have been brought about by the care and commitment of many individuals in the community and public sector agencies. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have assisted the Commission in the preparation of this Report. Stepan Kerkyasharian Chairperson AM 6 C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O R T