Brimbank Council supports multiculturalism, community harmony, and social justice.
The Brimbank Settlement Action Plan 2019-2023 sets priorities to achieve positive outcomes for people from culturally diverse backgrounds. It focuses on:
- Achieving culturally responsive policies, services and programs
- Inclusive, harmonious and united communities
- Improved economic opportunities.
The Brimbank Settlement Action Plan reflects community and service provider priorities, challenges and partnership opportunities. It aims to ensure the settlement journey of migrants and new and settling communities is sustainable, and optimises opportunities for everyone.
In 2002, Brimbank was declared a Refugee Welcome Zone (RWZ).
The RWZ is a local government area that has made a commitment to welcome refugees into the community, uphold the human rights of refugees, demonstrate compassion and enhance cultural and religious diversity in the community.
This is an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia.
Advocacy
In 2018, Brimbank became an executive member of the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum. The Taskforce is made up of 36 Councils banding together to advocate for a fairer and swifter Refugee Status Determination system. Playing a pivotal role in the Taskforce’s advocacy efforts has been the Back Your Neighbour campaign. The campaign seeks to mobilise community support to influence federal policies around a fairer Refugee Status Determination process.
Brimbank Settlement Action Plan 2019-2023 – Community Report Card
The Brimbank Settlement Action Plan 2019-2023 Community Report Card 2020 lists a number of key achievements that have occurred from July 2019 to December 2020. These outcomes contribute to the eight focus themes:
- Education and Training
- Employment
- Family and Social Connections
- Civic Participation
- Language Services
- Housing
- Transport
- Services Provision
Reducing Racism
Brimbank is committed to an inclusive community recognising the work of all people who make their home here.
This includes people from every corner of the world and faith, achieving in all fields of human endeavour, from arts and culture to business, science, sport, education and much more, as expressed within Brimbank’s Community and Council Plan, Social Justice Charter, Reconciliation Action Plan, membership of the Brimbank Maribyrnong Interfaith Network and status as a Refugee Welcome Zone.
Community Reporting Tool
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has developed a Community Reporting Tool (available on this page).
It's an easier way for you to make a short confidential and secure report about racism, discrimination, hate-speech and religious vilification quickly and anonymously.
Making a report does not replace making a complaint but allows you to log the incident and have the option of taking it further.
All reports go directly to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
This tool is available as part of pilot program the Commission is running with Victorian Councils, to improve community access to justice, specifically for those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
We encourage you to use this tool so that together we can stop racism.