Conference paper
Meeting the Challenges of Multicultural Service Delivery under Neo-liberalism
The Complexities of Racism: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order, pp.140-161
International Conference on Racisims in the New World Order, 2nd (Caloundra, Australia, 06-Dec-2007–07-Dec-2007)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2008
Abstract
A key aspect to the successful settlement of refugees and migrants in Australia is the delivery of services by multicultural and community organisations. The focus of this paper is on the impact that neo-liberalism, and in the Australian context, economic rationalism has on such service delivery in South East Queensland, Australia. It discusses how market-based ideologies, which advocate the provision of 'individual justice' through market efficiency, impact on delivery of 'social justice' objectives informed by the Queensland multicultural policy. The paper draws upon interview data gathered from workers in organisations that provide multicultural service delivery in the Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Their reported experiences demonstrate that neo-liberal policy reforms such as government competitive tendering, contract agreements and government efficiency frameworks challenge worker efficacy through significantly increased reporting and accountability requirements via performance indicators. They also challenge organizational survival and undermine cross- sectoral collaboration as service agencies increasingly must compete with each other for limited funding. These reforms challenge the basic principles of community development which guide the objectives and service delivery of multicultural community workers and agencies. Nevertheless, workers report responding to these challenges through strategies that aim to ensure their organisations' service delivery remains socially just.
Details
- Title
- Meeting the Challenges of Multicultural Service Delivery under Neo-liberalism
- Authors
- Marama Liebergreen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Contributors
- Hurriyet Babacan (Editor)Narayan Gopalkrishnan (Editor)
- Publication details
- The Complexities of Racism: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Racisms in the New World Order, pp.140-161
- Conference details
- International Conference on Racisims in the New World Order, 2nd (Caloundra, Australia, 06-Dec-2007–07-Dec-2007)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2008
- ISBN
- 9780980474411
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2008 The Authors. Reproduced with permission of the authors.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Student Services and Engagement
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449766802621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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