Commonwealth Government releases advice from National Multicultural Advisory Council. The report Australian Multiculturalism for a New Century recommends re-establishment of a central coordinating agency and a national communication strategy.
Commonwealth Government develops the multicultural policy statement, A new agenda for multicultural Australia which stresses Australia’s commitment to freedom and the role of democracy as the foundation of Australian multiculturalism.
Federal Parliament issues a statement of sincere regret over the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families.
All Premiers, Chief Ministers and State/Territory Opposition Leaders meet with the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation to discuss the draft Document for Reconciliation.
Significant inclusions recognising the unique culture, heritage and rights of Indigenous Australians and contributions of migrants are included in the draft Constitutional Preamble to be put in the November referendum.
United Nations race discrimination committee finds the Native Title Act in breach of Australia’s commitment as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and requests immediate reopening of talks with Indigenous Australians. Federal Government rejects committee’s findings.
Temporary refugees from Kosovo, former republic of Yugoslavia, come to Australia under new category of visa ‘Temporary Safe Haven’ following war in Kosovo; most return by end of year. Refugees from East Timor also come under ‘Temporary Safe Haven’ visas following massacres of Timorese in the wake of the vote for independence from Indonesia.
Referendum on Australia becoming a republic is held in November and lost.
