Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current Acts(1) The Parliament recognises that the people of Victoria are united in their shared commitment to—
(a) a democratic framework governed by the rule of law; and
(b) Victoria and Australia and to the people, interests and future of Victoria and Australia.
(2) The Parliament further recognises that all Victorians come from diverse backgrounds and values the richness that such diversity brings to the Victorian community.
(3) The Parliament supports the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to which subsection (1) refers and promotes the diversity to which subsection (2) refers by recognising the following principles of multiculturalism—
(a) all individuals in Victoria are entitled to mutual respect and understanding regardless of their diverse backgrounds;
(b) all individuals and institutions in Victoria should promote and preserve diversity within the context of shared laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities;
(c) all individuals in Victoria (regardless of background) have shown that they can work together to build a positive and progressive future and this co-operation is to be encouraged so as to enhance Victoria as a great place in which to live;
(d) all individuals in Victoria are equally entitled to access opportunities and participate in and contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of the State;
(e) all individuals in Victoria have a responsibility to abide by the State's laws and respect the democratic processes under which those laws are made;
(f) all individuals in Victoria should be united in a shared commitment to Australia and to community service;
(g) all individuals and institutions should recognise Victoria's diversity as an asset and a valuable resource benefiting Australia.
(4) The Parliament further recognises that Victoria's diversity should be reflected in a whole of government approach to policy development, implementation and evaluation.
(5) It is the intention of the Parliament that this Act is to be administered and interpreted having regard to the principles of multiculturalism set out in subsection (3).