This plan marks an important milestone for the judges and staff of the Court, for our clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and for organisations representing the interests of those clients. The plan identifies not only the pathway, but also defines the actions which will be implemented during 2004–05 and 2005–06.
The National Cultural Diversity Committee has been primarily responsible for the development of the plan. The Committee, which was established in 2000, was in the fortunate position of being able to build on work already under way in Victoria and New South Wales, under the direction of state-based committees. Many initiatives have been undertaken in the development of this plan. The most significant of these have been:
The national access and audit report of the Court's services against the Charter of Public Service in a Culturally Diverse Society.
The National Roundtable, hosted jointly with the Australian Multicultural Foundation.
The development of Local Action Plans at each Registry of the Court, with a strong emphasis on partnerships with local people and organisations representing our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.