Department of Immigration and Citizenship - No More “M”
January 29, 2007
Howard denies attacking multiculturalism
Prime Minister John Howard has again defended the change to the title of the Department of Immigration, saying it is not an attack on multiculturalism.
The department is now called the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, instead of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
Critics say the change reflects Mr Howard’s dislike of multiculturalism.
But Mr Howard says the new title reflects a belief that immigrants to Australia should become citizens.
‘People are understandably going to retain a place in their heart for their home culture and we don’t discourage that in any way,’ he said.
‘But the premium must be upon, the emphasis must be upon, the dominant consideration must be, the integration of people into the Australian family.’ ABC, January 24, 2007
