Migrant Rights Activists in the Formation of Australian Multiculturalism

This chapter examines the role of migrant rights activists during a transformative period in Australia’s immigration history. It explores the migrant rights movement of the 1970s, highlighting its radical, class-centred vision of multiculturalism that ultimately failed to materialise. Unlike European migration models, Australia pursued permanent settlement, leading to tensions in the labour market and society. The chapter argues that the activism of resident migrant communities contributed significantly to the development of Australia’s multicultural framework, advocating for access and equity measures. Using historical and sociological analysis, the chapter demonstrates how the integration of multiculturalism into state policy subdued its radical beginnings. It concludes by assessing multiculturalism’s legacy and contemporary relevance within Australia’s evolving immigration policies.