Continuing issues
Since ALRC 57, the issue of multiculturalism and the law has gained extensive coverage and is an ongoing issue. The federal government has pursued the issue of multiculturalism in Australia's society.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs directed the National Multicultural Advisory Council in 1998 to report on multicultralism in Australia. The resulting report and list of recommendations, Australian Multiculturalism for a New Century: Towards Inclusiveness was released in April 1999, with the government response following in December 1999. Although the Advisory Council report does not concentrate on 'multiculturalism and the law', it does reinforce the attitudes that were reflected in ALRC 57.
The ALRC recommendations relating to customary and religious divorce have not been implemented. The Family Law Council completed a report on cultural-community divorce in 2001 which built on the ALRC 57 recommendations. The Family Law Council's report has not been accepted by the Australian Government.