E/CN.4/2002/24/Add.1 page 21 (iii) In order to facilitate communication with all Australians the most effective means of communication should be used, including appropriately qualified and accredited interpreters and/or translators; (iv) Particular care should be taken to avoid stereotyping media reporting regarding police interactions with members of ethnic groups; (v) Police personnel should reflect as closely as possible the cultural and linguistic composition of Australia; (vi) Close partnership with the communities should be developed through regular consultations. The Bureau inspired the initiative of the Queensland Police to develop a partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities based on a shared undestanding of how to provide a service appropriate to the community and one free of racism and other forms of discrimination, in particular through consultation and cooperation with the members of the community. An important element of this initiative is the appointment of an Indigenous Policy/Liaison Officer within the Cultural Advisory Unit of the Queensland Police Service. 41. The Commonwealth programmes are also implemented by states and local governments at their respective levels. In addition, they take their own initiatives in formulating programmes and activities. 2. Multiculturalism in Victoria 42. With a population of 4,414,288 (1996 census) Victoria is the most diverse state in Australia. The following characteristics are illustrative of its diversity: − Overseas-born: 23.8 per cent (more than 44.5 per cent born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas); − 151 languages spoken (nearly 20 per cent come from countries where a language other than English is spoken - the highest proportion of any state or territory); − 100 different religions; − Five largest groups of overseas-born Victorians: England, Italy, Greece, Viet Nam and New Zealand. The government of Victoria is therefore committed to ensuring coexistence between the various groups which compose its population through many programmes administered by the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs in cooperation with the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission.