The Lowy Institute’s Multiculturalism, Identity and Influence Project (2020–2023) looked at the efforts of foreign governments to influence and possibly interfere in Australian society, and the impact of these efforts on Australian democracy and multiculturalism.

Australia’s Multicultural Statement states that Australia is the most successful multicultural country in the world. Further research was needed about the way in which foreign governments may work through foreign language media or culturally and linguistically diverse communities to further their own objectives. Government responses to these efforts should be informed by evidence directly from affected communities.

The Multiculturalism, Identity and Influence Project, funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, drew on quantitative and qualitative analysis to provide evidence-based policy options and fill some of these gaps in the discourse around multiculturalism and foreign policy. The project comprised three nationally representative surveys of the Australian population of Chinese heritage and three Lowy Institute Analysis papers. A key aim of the Project was to investigate the sentiments of Chinese-Australian communities in the context of growing tensions in bilateral ties between China and Australia.

A summary report of the Project's findings can be found below.

Responsibility for the views, information or advice expressed in this project are those of the author/s, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lowy Institute or the Australian government.

Cover image: Tomoaki INAB / Flickr