Melbourne: An Indian-origin man has been inducted in an Australian national body that advices the government on multicultural affairs and policy programmes. Vasan Srinivasan has been included in the six-member Australian Multicultural Council (AMC). The announcement of his induction was made by Social Services minister Kevin Andrews and Parliamentary Secretary Concetta Fierravanti-Wells here recently. Andrews said the council's commitment to the government will help to build a stronger multicultural Australia.

Srinivasan, currently the Chair of Confederation of Indian Australian Associations, was former president of Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria and was also the founding member of Federation of Indian Multi-Faith Organisations of Victoria (FIMO). Expressing his gratitude, Srinivasan said his new role was an opportunity to represent the Australian Indian community.

The council's role is to offer advice to the government on ways to sustain and support social cohesion within communities, to ensure all Australians have the opportunity to participate, engage and contribute to Australian life. It is a ministerially appointed body that offers advice to the government on multicultural affairs policy and programmes, with a focus on harnessing economic and social benefits of Australia's culturally diverse population. The current term of the AMC is for the next three years till December 16, 2017.