The Federal Government has announced it will restore multiculturalism after it abolished the title following last year's federal election.
As part of the move, a new advisory body will be set up to develop a new multiculturalism policy to combat racism and religious extremism.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says the new body will champion multiculturalism and ensure Australia's model of diversity endures.
He says the Australian Multicultural Council will replace the current Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.
The new council will be an independent and permanent body that advises the government on policies relating to multiculturalism.
Mr Bowen says its mandate will be broader than the current advisory council's mandate and it will have a formal, as well as advisory, role in devising multicultural policy.
"The new body will act as a champion for multiculturalism in the community, will advise government on multicultural affairs and will help ensure Australian government services respond to the needs of migrant and refugee communities," he told SBS.
"Australia's diverse immigration program has been to the benefit of both migrants and Australia. It is an indelible and irrevocable part of who we are, and, without it, we would all be the poorer".
Mr Bowen says the Government will also implement a National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy.
"While much good work has been done in Australia over the decades, we must continue to work to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. This strategy will bring together existing expertise on anti-racism and multicultural matters from government departments, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council," Mr Bowen said.
"It's counterintuitive to assume that the majority of migrants want to change Australia. Allegations of migrants wanting to come to Australia to convert the populace and turn it into a replica of their homelands ignore the truth".
Senator Kate Lundy has been appointed as the new parliamentary secretary for multiculturalism.
She says the Government is determined to strengthen access and equity for all people of differing backgrounds.
Senator Lundy says the new policy reflects the Government's commitment to a multicultural Australia and the importance of cultural diversity for the nation's future.
"I'm extremely proud of this policy as it puts in place some very strong foundations and frameworks to allow us to progress very important initiatives like the national anti-racism partnership and strategy, like strengthening how government services are responsive to the changing needs of our community, and, of course, a very important multicultural-youth sports partnership program which will offer wonderful opportunities for our young people who are migrants and refugees in Australia," he told SBS.
Recently, some European leaders declared multiculturalism had failed in their countries.
French president Nicholas Sarkozy is the latest leader to do so, pronouncing multiculturalism a failure in France.
His comments followed similar statements by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron about their countries.
Mr Bowen says, while it appears fashionable around the world to say multiculturalism is dead or to blame for crime and terrorism, Australia is unique.
"Many countries in Europe have nations within nations: significant communities living "parallel lives."
"Generation after generation has perpetuated segregation from the mainstream -- based on ethnic, religious or cultural divides. This seems to me to underline the benefits of the Australian approach."
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