Migrants are being warned that "practices and behaviours that undermine" Australian values and sense of "fair go" have no place in Australia, in a new government multicultural statement to be released today.
Called "Multicultural Australia: United, Strong, Successful" the document notes "justifiable concern" in the Australian community, triggered by "terrorist attacks around the world."
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But it says promoting "acceptance and understanding", combined with "strong borders and national security," will help to keep society "safe, cohesive and harmonious".
The document, seen by Fairfax Media, identifies Australia's shared values as respect, equality and freedom, and says learning English "is a critical tool for migrant integration".
But it praises the number of foreign languages spoken in Australia as good for the country's ability to forge international business links and innovation.
The Multicultural Statement sets out Australian values as respecting the rule of law and supporting the equality of men and women.
"We are defined not by race, religion or culture, but by shared values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and equality of opportunity—a 'fair go'," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says in a foreword to the statement.
The statement also describes Australia's commitment to freedom as "fundamental".
"We support freedom of thought, speech, religion, enterprise and association," it says. "Practices and behaviours that undermine our values have no place in Australia. Maintaining a strong commitment to our common values is in the best interests of the Australia."
Notably, the document raises fears about terrorism and says the government's border security policies, which involve harsh measures including turning back asylum seeker boats, and detaining refugees on Nauru and Manus Island, help keep the country safe.
"Recent terrorist attacks around the world have justifiably caused concern in the Australian community," the statement notes.
"The government responds to these threats by continuing to invest in counter-terrorism, strong borders and strong national security. This helps to ensure that Australia remains an open, inclusive, free and safe society."
The statement says the government does not compromise on shared values or unity in the face of threats but "affirms that we best reinforce the safety of the Australian community by focusing on what unites us and addressing our differences through mutual respect."
It stresses migrants should learn English but says their native language will always be an asset to the economy.
"Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest assets – it sparks innovation, creativity and vitality.
"Our economy is strengthened by the skills, knowledge, linguistic capabilities, networks and creativity of our diverse workforce.
"We see the statement as a celebration of the role that successive multicultural policies have played in ensuring we are a cohesive, safe and prosperous country. It makes an important positive contribution in the current debates by stating a firm commitment to a multicultural Australia."
It is the Coalition's first Multicultural Statement in office and is being welcomed by the Migration Council of Australia.
"We see the statement as a celebration of the role that successive multicultural policies have played in ensuring we are a cohesive, safe and prosperous country," the council's chief executive officer, Carla Wilshire, said.
"It makes an important positive contribution in the current debates by stating a firm commitment to a multicultural Australia."
The statement will be released on Monday by Mr Turnbull and the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zed Seselja. Mr Turnbull asked Senator Seselja to have the policy ready by Harmony Day on March 21, when he was appointed a junior minister in July 2016.
Senator Seselja, a senator for the ACT, is the son of Croatian migrants. His uncle was the first to come to Australia; he fled to Italy in 1958 and was resettled in Australia as a refugee.
The last Multicultural Statement was delivered under the former Labor government led by Julia Gillard in February 2011. That statement, before the rise of Islamic State, did not mention concerns about terrorism or border policies.
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