CANBERRA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Successfully integrating into Australian society and learning English are two keys for migrants coming to Australia, the government's 2017 multicultural statement has said.
Australia's multicultural identity has been redefined to push the idea of integration, and the report urges migrants to "sign up" to Australia's values to ensure the nation remains one of the most welcoming and multicultural on Earth.
Launching the "Multicultural Australia: United, Strong, Successful" report on Monday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull touched on Australia's rich history of welcoming migrants from around the world, saying those who seek a new life in Australia are still expected to "integrate" into local society and uphold traditional Australian values.
"We are much more diverse in terms of the number of people who are born overseas or the children of parents who are born overseas than any comparable nation," Turnbull told the press on Monday.
"Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have come from all corners of the world to make their life here. They have added their own identity to the extraordinary project that is modern Australia.
"The multicultural statement this year, 2017, renews and reaffirms our commitment to a multicultural Australia in which racism and discrimination have no place and which integration and contribution are core elements of our success."
According to the report, learning English was deemed to be "critical" to successful integration, but it stressed that did not require migrants to give up cultural values which contribute to Australia's "multicultural" moniker.
"Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest assets -- it sparks innovation, creativity and vitality," the report said.
"We support freedom of thought, speech, religion, enterprise and association."
The statement also said the facilitating a "harmonious" Australia was vital to the security of the nation, and said practices which "undermine" Australian values were not welcome.
"Practices and behaviors that undermine our values have no place in Australia. Maintaining a strong commitment to our common values is in the best interests of Australia," the report said.
"The Australian government places the highest priority on the safety and security of all Australians."
