The Australian Multicultural Council (AMC), formerly Council for Multicultural Australia (CMA), is a body appointed by the Minister for Home Affairs to advise the Australian Government on multicultural affairs, social cohesion and integration policy and programs.
The Council for Multicultural Australia was established by the Australian Government in July 2000 for a period of three years. Its purpose was to "raise awareness and understanding" about multiculturalism. The term of the CMA was extended for an additional three years to 2006. The Howard government allowed it to lapse in that year, with the departure of its champion Arthur Sinodinos from the office of the Prime Minister.
In August 2011, the Federal Government under Prime Minister Julia Gillard, acting in accordance with the recommendations of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council, established the Australian Multicultural Council, with the terms of reference being to provide ongoing advice on multicultural policy, social cohesion and interfaith dialogue. The membership included Rauf Soulio, as chair of the Council, Peter Wertheim, Tanveer Ahmed, and Tim Soutphommasane.[1] and Gail Ker, deputy chair, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Bulent Hass Dellal, Carmel Guerra, Samina Yasmeen, and Talal Yassine, and two ex officio members, Andrew Metcalfe, and Helen Szoke.[2]
The council's membership was allowed to lapse from July 2014 to December 2014.[3]
Sev Ozdowski was appointed Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council in December 2014.[3] [4] Other members were Helena Kyriazopoulos, deputy chair, Vasan Srinivasan, Charlotte Vidor, Faiza Rehman, Bulent Hass Dellal .[3] [5]
The priorities of the council are listed as:
, the council, whose term runs from 2022 to 2025, is known as the Australian Multicultural Council. Bulent Hass Dellal is Executive Director, and other AMC members include Nora Amath, Craig Foster, Helena Kyriazopoulos, Vasan Srinivasan, Anthony Sukari and Jason Yeap .[6]