In February 2011, the Joint Standing Committee on Migration accepted terms of reference from the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, to inquire into the economic, social and cultural impacts of migration and to make recommendations to maximise the positive benefits of migration.

The Committee held a total of 13 public hearings of evidence for this inquiry, including one at the Centre for Dialogue in Melbourne on 29 March. Further, the Committee received over 450 written submissions from interested persons and organisations.

The submission by  Centre for Dialogue was presented to the Inuiry by Joseph Camilleri, the Centre's Director, It made several policy recommendations considered vital to the further development of a thriving and harmonious multicultural society.