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• “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed terrorism as Australia’s principal security concern,” he said.
• Tensions, especially in western Sydney, are much elevated because of the Middle East conflict.
• And the Wakeley attack came just two days after the Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbings, which killed six people.
• While that atrocity did not fall under the definition of “terrorism”, inevitably the two incidents were conflated by an alarmed public.
• The challenge for political leaders is not just dealing with the immediate increasing threats to cohesion, but with longer term policy.
• Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Technology Sydney, highlights the three separate elements of multiculturalism.

“Settlement policy, which deals with arrival, survival and orientation, and the emergence of bonding within the group and finding employment, housing and education
"Multicultural policy, which ensures that institutions in society identify and respond to needs over the life course and in changing life circumstances, and
"Community Relations policy, which includes building skills in intercultural relations, engagement with the power hierarchies of society and the inclusion of diversity into the fabric of decision-making in society - from politics to education to health to the arts.”

• The Albanese government last year commissioned an independent review of the present multicultural framework.
• Although the review is not due for release until mid-year, the May budget is likely to see some initiatives.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.