One Nation has announced that it would abolish the federal Minister for Multiculturalism and dismantle the Office for Multicultural Affairs if the party were to form government, arguing that Australia should place greater emphasis on a shared national identity rather than multicultural policy.

Speaking about the proposal, Senator Sean Bell said the party believes existing multicultural institutions are no longer necessary and that government policy should instead encourage stronger integration into a common Australian identity. The proposal forms part of One Nation’s broader platform on immigration, citizenship and national cohesion.

Under the policy, the responsibilities currently associated with multicultural affairs would be reviewed, with the party arguing that government resources should focus on programs that encourage social integration rather than maintaining dedicated multicultural agencies. At this stage, the proposal remains a policy position advocated by One Nation and has not been adopted by the federal government.

Australia has maintained formal multicultural policies for several decades, recognising the country’s culturally diverse population while promoting equal participation in public life. The federal Minister for Multiculturalism and related government offices have typically been responsible for developing policies that support community engagement, settlement services and social inclusion for people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Supporters of One Nation’s proposal argue that government policy should place greater emphasis on common civic values, English language proficiency and national unity. They contend that Australians should be encouraged to integrate into a shared national culture regardless of their country of origin.

Critics, however, argue that multicultural institutions help strengthen social cohesion by supporting new migrants, facilitating community engagement and addressing barriers to participation in education, employment and public services. They also contend that multicultural policy has played an important role in Australia’s economic development and international reputation as a diverse society.

Political analysts note that debates over multiculturalism have periodically resurfaced throughout Australia’s modern political history, often alongside broader discussions about immigration levels, citizenship policy and national identity. While views differ on how multicultural programs should operate, most major political parties continue to support multiculturalism as an element of Australian public policy.

The proposal also highlights the differing approaches political parties are taking ahead of future elections. One Nation has increasingly focused on issues including immigration, cost of living, housing affordability and national identity, seeking to distinguish itself from both Labor and the Coalition on several policy fronts.

Any proposal to abolish a ministerial portfolio or government office would require administrative and legislative processes depending on the functions involved. Such changes would also be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and could only proceed if supported through the appropriate government decision-making processes.

As debate over Australia’s immigration and integration policies continues, the future of multicultural institutions is likely to remain a topic of political discussion. Whether proposals such as those put forward by One Nation gain broader support will ultimately depend on parliamentary outcomes and the views expressed by Australian voters.