Media Releases

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has applauded the scrapping last night of the Federal Government’s proposed new citizenship legislation.

The Senate removed the proposed Bill from the Senate notice paper after the Government, which faced certain defeat of its proposed legislation, failed to bring it to a vote.

“We congratulate every Senator who stood up against this cruel, unnecessary and discriminatory proposal,” the Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos said today.

“The plan to extend the waiting period and demand university-standard English language skills from migrants in order for them to become Australian citizens was unjust and unfair,” Ms Patetsos said.

“The fact is that generations of migrants, despite having limited command of English when they became citizens, have made huge contributions to Australian society.”

Ms Patetsos said that now the Parliament had spoken, the Government should put such harsh legislative proposals to rest.

“For decades, Australian citizenship had fostered inclusivity, allowing migrants to feel Australian, regardless of their country of origin.”

“This legislation would have damaged Australia’s cohesive multicultural society by creating an underclass of Australian residents denied citizenship.”

“We now have a great opportunity for FECCA to work with the Government to find positive ways – rather than punitive ways – to make migrants feel welcomed and part of Australian society,” Ms Patetsos said.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has launched Engaging CALD Communities in Organ and Tissue Donation Discussions, a new issue of our flagship magazine, Australian Mosaic.

The project is sponsored by the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) through a Community Awareness Grant received by FECCA.
Ms Mary Patetsos, FECCA Chairperson said: ‘FECCA is delighted to launch this issue of our magazine focused on organ and tissue donation today at the 2017 FECCA Conference in the multicultural city of Darwin.’

Ms Patetsos continued: ‘Organ and Tissue donation is important for Australians of all backgrounds.’

‘FECCA is pleased to participate in raising awareness of this topic among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and we hope that it will lead to an increase in the number of people joining the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) and a greater diversity among donors.’

This issue of Australian Mosaic is dedicated to discussions of organ and tissue donation among CALD communities and will serve as a useful resource for CALD community leaders to engage their communities on this important health issue.

Ms Patetsos said: ‘We know that the ethnic and/or cultural background of a potential donor and their family can impact the likelihood of consent for donation.’

‘While end of life decisions can be difficult to talk about, it is important that all Australians Discover the facts about organ and tissue donation, Decide to register on the AODR and Discuss their decision with their family and loved ones,’ she said.

‘Thanks to a new registration process it is now easier than ever to register your donation decision on the AODR,’ Ms Patetsos continued. ‘Visit donatelife.gov.au and you can register in just minutes. You just need your Medicare card’.

Just 33% (6.2 million) of Australians aged 16 years and over have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register, even though 69% believe that registration is the best way to ensure your donation decision in known.

Registration counts. Nine in ten families agree to donation proceeding when their loved one is a registered donor.

Australian Mosaic issue 47, Engaging CALD Communities in Organ and Tissue Donation Discussions, can be found on our website.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia’s (FECCA) full Council has elected Ms Mary Patetsos unopposed as Chairperson at its annual general meeting, which was held following the FECCA 2017 National Conference in Darwin.

Outgoing Chairperson, Mr Joe Caputo said: “I would like to congratulate Mary Patetsos on her appointment to this important and prestigious position.”

“Ms Patetsos brings decades of experience across private, government and community sectors at board and chair level.”

Ms Patetsos said that her appointment to the FECCA role comes at an exciting time for Australia’s multicultural community.

“FECCA will contribute towards a positive public discourse around citizenship, acceptance and migration and I will continue to prosecute FECCA’s strong position.”

Ms Patetsos was previously FECCA’s Healthy Ageing Chair. In this role she has been a powerful advocate for older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

“My Executive and I will work to ensure FECCA continues to give a voice to Australians from CALD backgrounds on ageing and aged care and across a broad range of policy areas including rural and regional, disability, youth, gender and employment.”

Ms Patetsos paid tribute to the previous Chair and Executive.

“I thank Mr Joe Caputo OAM for the work he’s done over the last four years and to our outgoing Executive,” she said.

“I look forward to leading a new Executive team in our work to support a prosperous, cohesive and successful multicultural Australia.”

The new FECCA Executive includes office holders: Mr Peter Doukas, Senior Deputy Chair; Ms Hina Durrani, Senior Deputy Chair; Mr Mohammad Al-Khafaji, Hon Secretary; Mr Siddique Panwala, Hon Treasurer; Ms Sandra Elhelw-Wright, Women’s Chair; Ms Suzanne (Sue) Graham, Disabilities Chair; Mr Waqas Durrani, Youth Chair; Ms Catherine Poutasi, Regional Chair; Mr Parsuram Sharma-Luital, New and Emerging Communities Chair; Ms Marion Lau OAM, Healthy Ageing Chair; Mr Joe Caputo OAM, Hon President.

The FECCA Executive also includes the chairperson of each state and territory member ethnic or multicultural community council.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

Australia’s peak body representing multicultural communities will hold its national conference in Darwin for the first time in 18 years, commencing this Sunday 8 October.

The three-day Biennial Conference of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) will be co-hosted by the Multicultural Council of Northern Territory (MCNT).

Dates: Sunday 8 October to Tuesday 10 October 2017

Daily start times:  

• Sunday 8 October 9:00am
• Monday 9 October 08:30am
• Tuesday 10 October 08:50am

Venue: Darwin Convention Centre

Theme: Celebrate. Reflect. Advance: Our Multicultural Australia

This national conference is focused on celebrating multiculturalism in Australia and coincides with the 40^th anniversary of the founding of MCNT. There will corresponding festivities over the three days.

Speakers at the conference include:

• The Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Sen the Hon Zed Seselja
• The Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane
• The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell AO
• The Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP
• Senator Richard Di Natale, Leader, Australian Greens
• Jenevieve Chang, Writer, Performing Artist and Movement Director.

Conference sessions will address issues including:

• Ageing
• Healthcare
• Settlement services
• Entrepreneurialism
• Organisational change.

Sunday 8 October is designated as Youth Day and delegates will focus on the challenges and opportunities for multicultural youth. There will be urban art workshops and presentations by NT youth leaders from the multicultural community.

Full details of the conference program and speakers can be found at www.fecca2017.com.au

For further information, to arrange a media pass, or to book an interview, please contact Emma Campbell at emma@fecca.org.au or on 0424 910 617