In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Jocelyn Chey argues that Australia’s foreign policy must better reflect its multicultural society and leverage its diversity in international engagement.

Australian foreign policy must catch up with changes in the Australian community. Multiculturalism now defines our society, despite increasing racist attacks on Indigenous people and immigrants. Our urban schools are full of yellow and brown as well as white students, and rural industries would collapse without international backpackers and PALM workers. Nevertheless, ethnic diversity hardly features in government policy documents concerning international relations. At best it is acknowledged as a potential soft power tool. The time has come to reformulate foreign policy so that it reflects national reality.

The demographic shift towards more cultural and racial diversity followed a major reorientation of government policy under Whitlam, but it was not a purely internal matter. It coincided with a rapidly developing and increasingly mobile world, particularly in Asia. Multiculturalism as it emerged was paralleled by globalisation of technology, research, innovation, culture and the economy. Now the Indo-Pacific is the fastest-growing, most diverse and most innovative region of the world. Australia stands to benefit from its geographical position if it properly endorses multiculturalism.

The economic benefits of diversity are recognised in government. A New South Wales Multicultural Communities Council forum in March emphasised how entrepreneurs and networks are helping Australian businesses access new markets, facilitating smoother international trade and investment and enhancing global connections. Speakers noted that immigration also fills skilled labour gaps.

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