SSI Urges Overhaul to Boost Australia's Social Cohesion

Australia needs systemic change across government and institutions to strengthen social cohesion at this critical moment, national non-profit SSI told the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia yesterday.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis and General Manager of Newcomers, Settlement and Integration Yamamah Agha gave evidence outlining a five-point plan to rebuild social cohesion and address the systems that allow racism and exclusion to persist.

Ms Roumeliotis told the Royal Commission that social cohesion should be understood as the outcome of a deeper goal: collective belonging.

"We tend to think about it as collective belonging, whether people feel recognised as part of Australia's national story and feel they have an equal stake in our future. For SSI, it's not simply whether different communities peacefully coexist, it's whether people can participate fully in our economic, social, civic and cultural life.

"The reality is that social cohesion is largely invisible when it is working and catastrophic when it fails. Like infrastructure, it requires investment, engineering and constant maintenance. When we neglect the upkeep, we should not be surprised when cracks appear," she said.

"If we address inequity and racism, then Australian communities will flourish and social cohesion will be bolstered."

SSI welcomed the Commissioner's interest in its recommendations across five reform areas put forward in its submission to the Royal Commission earlier this year, calling for

• National leadership that embeds social cohesion as core business across every layer of government
• Local listening roundtables with diaspora, faith and community groups, modelled on the approach New Zealand took after the 2019 Christchurch massacre
• A national advisory council giving faith and diaspora leaders a direct line to the Prime Minister
• Stronger anti-racism education in schools and action to prevent racism in workplaces
• Guaranteed support for all communities facing elevated risk to their safety and wellbeing

SSI is also urging the federal government to fully implement the Multicultural Framework Review and National Anti-Racism Framework, both developed through extensive consultation with communities across the country.

Ms Roumeliotis said social cohesion cannot be built through crisis response alone. Australia needs sustained action to tackle the underlying drivers of racism and division, rather than simply responding after incidents occur.

"Implementing the national anti-racism and multicultural frameworks would move us towards a more prevention focused approach, strengthening the institutions, relationships and opportunities that help people feel that they belong, are safe, included and that they have an equal stake in Australia's future," she said.

SSI's appearance at the Royal Commission follows the Think Social Cohesion Summit, hosted by SSI, SydWest Multicultural Services and the Settlement Council of Australia last month, which brought together 160 leaders from government, community, civil society and academia to develop a shared agenda for strengthening social cohesion. A roadmap based on the summit's findings is currently being developed.

As the Royal Commission formulates its findings and recommendations, SSI will continue working with settlement services, the community sector and government to advocate for reforms, partnerships and initiatives that address all forms of hate and strengthen belonging, safety and inclusion of all Australians.