Exclusive interview with Hon. Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Introduction

In a comprehensive interview with Sameway Magazine, Hon. Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, discussed his vision for advancing multiculturalism in Australia. Addressing critical themes such as ethnic media, misinformation, leadership diversity, and community support, Minister Hill outlined the government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and building a cohesive society. His thoughtful responses provide a framework for how Australia can navigate the complexities of its growing multicultural population while strengthening its democratic and social foundations.

Multiculturalism as a National Strength

Minister Hill opened the discussion by emphasizing that Australia’s multicultural success is not accidental but the result of deliberate policies, investments, and leadership. He described multiculturalism as one of Australia’s defining features, yet one that requires ongoing effort to maintain and enhance.

“Multiculturalism doesn’t just happen,” Minister Hill stated firmly. “It requires deliberate government action, targeted investments, and leadership.” Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act, he highlighted the act’s transformative role in fostering equality and fairness in Australia.

The ongoing Multicultural Framework Review was a key topic in this context. Minister Hill called the review a significant step in reassessing policies to better serve CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities. Minister Hill believed that this review provided a strategic foundation for tackling systemic issues and ensuring that our multicultural policies would be fit for the future.

Leadership diversity in Australia was also discussed as an essential factor in building an inclusive society. Minister Hill acknowledged progress in this area, citing the increasing representation of multicultural Australians in Parliament. However, he noted that more work is needed to ensure leadership reflects the diversity of the Australian population.

“you know, that increasing diversity that you’ll see in the parliament is actually really important to give that signal of inclusion and belonging to all Australians, including new Australians.” he remarked.

Ethnic Media – A Vital Bridge for CALD Communities

Minister Hill underscored the critical role ethnic media plays in connecting CALD communities to Australian society. He acknowledged that many migrants rely on ethnic media as their primary source of information, particularly when mainstream outlets fail to address their specific needs.

“I do believe that the independent multicultural media sector is an important part of our multicultural infrastructure if we’re going to be a successful society. They’re trusted voices.” He said.

Minister Hill believed ethnic media in fact are increasing “mainstream”.

“The government strongly supports CALD and independent and community media, which plays a vital role in giving voice to different communities across Australia, but especially those that aren’t adequately covered or represented in so-called mainstream media. I say so-called because I think that increasingly in a diverse country, this conversation we’re having is part of the mainstream.” Minister Hill explained.

Despite its importance, ethnic media faces numerous challenges, including financial instability and limited government support. Minister Hill acknowledged these issues, noting that initiatives like the $15 million News Media Relief Program and the $27 million Community Broadcasting Program aim to provide much-needed support to independent and multicultural media outlets. However, he recognized that these funds alone are insufficient to address the sector’s challenges comprehensively.

“the framework review has made a number of suggestions and recommendations which we’ll be considering and we are considering actively.” Minister Hill added.

Minister Hill also emphasized the need for ethnic media to engage in consultations and collaborate with mainstream media to amplify their reach. By working together, ethnic and mainstream media can create innovative solutions to ensure that CALD communities remain informed and connected.

As the peak body for multicultural community broadcasters, the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council (NEMBC) has placed a proposal to the Federal Government to address the challenges outlined by Minister Hill.

“We are proposing to work with the Federal Government on a project that will help multicultural broadcasters tackle big challenges like disinformation, media literacy, funding and governance, while building strong ties with our public institutions.

By giving broadcasters the tools to share accurate information and stay sustainable, we strengthen multicultural voices and promotes an inclusive Australia that celebrates diversity and unity.

Strong media diversity builds a stronger community.” As said by Juan Paolo Legaspi , NEMBC President)

The Minister expressed concern about how funding for ethnic media has often been deprioritized in favour of mainstream outlets. He urged policymakers to view ethnic media as an integral part of Australia’s information ecosystem.

Combating Misinformation in CALD Communities

Minister Hill believed the government has funded SBS to provide news and information to CALD communities. He believed that Chinese Australians are obtaining information from a diversified source.

“We do have some really good evidence and research that confirms Chinese Australians and all the different parts of the really diverse Chinese Australian community use a whole multitude of media services. So I just make that point at the outset. There is already a strong contestability of information sources and views.” Minister Hill expressed.

Clearly the perception of Minister Hill is incompatible with researches done in Australia. In a Google news summit held in last October, disinformation targeted at CALD communities had been mentioned as a threat to the security of Australia.

Minister Hill pointed out that many migrants in Australia are receiving information from their home countries as well as local sources.  He had trusted that Australians will be smart enough to be able to sought out accurate information from these diversified sources. Clearly media specialists do not agree with this.

To address this issue, the government is partnering with organizations like the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) to develop media literacy programs. These initiatives aim to equip CALD communities with the skills to critically evaluate information and identify credible sources.

“Media literacy is to find good media sources and be aware of what they’re consuming.” Minister Hill emphasized.

However Minister Hill contradicted himself in saying “I’m concerned … with the active use of social media platforms, including in particular those closed groups on WhatsApp, on WeChat ….on bad information spreads very quickly, complete nonsense [during election campaign]. And the Liberal Party were caught out in previous elections, actively spreading lies about the Labor Party. And, you know, it’s something that We were not always quick enough to respond to, and it’s a real risk to democracy when In language material is used to spread complete lies.”

It is obviously impossible that WhatsApp and WeChat or other platforms will be used only to spread disinformation during election for “lies” that become real risks to democracy but effective in helping migrants to master reliable and accurate information in other aspects.

Minister Hill clearly needed to give more evidence in substantiate his argument.

The Decline of Language Education and its Implications

Minister Hill lamented the declining emphasis on foreign language education in Australia, describing it as a missed opportunity for cultural exchange and global engagement. He praised community language schools for their efforts in preserving linguistic heritage and fostering bilingualism among young Australians.

“Foreign language learning by people born in Australia has not been improving and in many areas has been going backwards over the last 10, 15 years. It’s getting worse, not better. We haven’t seen enough Australians learning a second language. And that’s particularly important for Asian languages.” He warned.

“this is a huge problem in Australia as well as an opportunity.”

Minister Hill highlighted the strategic importance of learning Asian languages, particularly Mandarin, in strengthening Australia’s ties with the Asia-Pacific region. He also noted that language education helps migrants preserve intergenerational relationships.

“That was just part of our multicultural society. And these days, you know, there’s people whose kids go to those language schools. They’re absolutely fantastic part of Australian society. They’re good for the kids’ mental development, they’re good for their cultural identity, it’s good for them to be able to communicate with their grandparents, but it’s also really good for our country that people acquire those language skills.”

He is interested to do more to support these schools so they can continue their vital work.

Supporting CALD Communities in Times of Crisis

The discussion also touched on the government’s response to CALD communities during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Hill noted that ethnic media played a pivotal role in disseminating critical health information to CALD Australians during the pandemic.

When questioned whether the federal government should set up a Department of Multicultural Affairs, Minister Hill was impressed with the team of Home Affairs dedicated to connections with multicultural communities.

“I am genuinely impressed with the quality of the work that the Department of Home Affairs multicultural staff do. We’ve got a network of over 50 staff across Australia who engage every day, weekends, evenings, with multicultural communities.” He said.

Minister Hill believed that leadership of the political parties determine the success of CALD Australia to face the challenge of crisis in different parts of the world. The leader in government should unite instead of divide the communities. He praised the Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in their skills and success in helping Australians to face the challenge.

“And conflicts that happen in other parts of the world, we’re a globally connected society. Conflicts in other parts of the world can and do impact daily life here because people have family, they have friends and loved ones. And, you know, I will stand on the government’s record, on Senator Wong’s approach, on the Prime Minister’s approach, of calmly trying to bring Australians together and not replicate foreign conflicts and not try and divide Australians to seek votes and domestic political advantage.”

Summary

Assistant Minister Julian Hill’s vision for a cohesive multicultural Australia is rooted in deliberate policies, targeted investments, and collaborative efforts. His emphasis on supporting ethnic media, combating misinformation, and promoting language education underscores the government’s recognition of CALD communities as vital contributors to Australia’s identity and future.

Minister Hill’s thoughtful responses provide a roadmap for addressing the challenges and opportunities in Australia’s multicultural society. His final remarks encapsulate his commitment to inclusivity: “At the end of the day, as Australians, we have more in common than we have difference, and that’ll be the focus of the government heading into an election in the next few months, is our plans for Australia for the next three years to build our future.”

Assistant Minister Julian Hill’s vision for multicultural Australia reflects a commitment to inclusivity, equity, and collaboration. His promises to support ethnic media, tackle misinformation, and enhance language education underscore the government’s recognition of CALD communities as vital contributors to Australia’s identity.

Through deliberate policies and targeted investments, Minister Hill aims to ensure that all Australians—regardless of their cultural background—feel valued, informed, and empowered to participate fully in society. This interview offers a compelling roadmap for achieving these goals and serves as a call to action for stakeholders across the media, government, and community sectors to work together in building a cohesive and inclusive Australia.

Mr. Raymond Chow