Media Releases

The Australian Government must maintain strong and effective laws against racial hatred, Aboriginal, ethnic and human rights organisations said today in a joint letter that responds to the inquiry into the racial vilification protections in the Racial Discrimination Act.

The release of the letter coincides with a meeting in Melbourne today between the UN expert on racism, Mutuma Ruteere, and Aboriginal, ethnic and human rights organisations.

Joe Caputo, Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia said, “While Australia is a proudly multicultural nation, sadly the evidence shows that more and more people are experiencing discrimination.”

“The Government should be doing everything it can to fight racism and hate speech in our community.  At this time more than ever, it must send a strong message that the protection of vulnerable minority groups from racial vilification is a priority,” Mr Caputo added.

The letter emphasises the importance of the racial vilification laws in the Racial Discrimination Act in preventing the serious harm caused by racism.

Wayne Muir, Co-Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, said, “For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia, racism is an everyday experience, with serious impacts on physical and mental health.”

“The current racial vilification laws help us build an Australia that we can be proud of – one that is free from racism, proud of diversity and celebrates the things that make us different. Weakening the law will only take us backwards,” Mr Muir added.

Hugh de Kretser, Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre, said, “We need strong and effective racial vilification laws to stop the spread of racial hatred and discrimination in the community. Weakening these laws would give a green light to bigotry.”

Mr de Kretser added, “Our current Federal racial vilification laws have been interpreted sensibly by the courts. They contain a broad defence that strikes the right balance between freedom of speech and freedom from vilification. We must not weaken them.”

The open letter also supports the Australian Human Rights Commission’s efficient mediation process for resolving complaints.

“The Commission provides a low-cost, informal way to resolve discrimination and vilification complaints. The majority of complaints that go to mediation are resolved. Only a handful go to court each year,” said Mr de Kretser.

The letter is supported by leading organisations and peak bodies including the Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT, Amnesty International, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, Get Up!, Human Rights Law Centre, Lowitja Institute, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Refugee Council of Australia, Oxfam Australia and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.

A copy of the open letter can be read here.

For further comments or queries please contact:

Hugh de Kretser, Human Rights Law Centre: 0403 965 340

Wayne Muir, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services: 0467 505 642

Joe Caputo, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia: 0419 173 122

28 November 2016

As the debate on 18C continues, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) reminds parliamentarians of their responsibility to protect the rights of Australia’s minority culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

FECCA opposes any attempt to amend or weaken Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act that provides protection against racially motivated attacks, including hate speech, against Australians from CALD communities.

FECCA Chairperson, Joe Caputo said: “The re-opening of the debate about 18C sends a message that racism is acceptable in the name of free speech. As it stands, the provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act strike a balance between the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom from racial vilification.”

Mr Caputo added: “The 2014 debate on this issue was extensive and does not need to be re-opened. There was an overwhelming community response against changes to the Act. Instead, the Government and all political parties should show leadership in fighting racism and discrimination and celebrating Australia’s multicultural community.”

The need to retain 18C was emphasised by the United Nations special Rapporteur François Crépeau at the end of his official visit to Australia who said: “Maintaining section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act sets the tone of an inclusive Australia, committed to implementing its multicultural practices and programmes and respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all.”

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

26 November 2016

FECCA is aware of reports in today’s media about a possible proposal to change the Australian citizenship test.

FECCA highlights the importance of citizenship policy to achieving and maintaining social cohesion in the Australian community. Mr Joe Caputo, Chairperson of FECCA said: “Citizenship is symbolic of acceptance into the Australian community and is highly valued among immigrant groups.”

Mr Caputo continued, “FECCA would need to see the details of any proposed changes. However, FECCA would be concerned about any changes to the citizenship test that would unfairly target some of Australia’s most vulnerable arrivals, such as refugees.”

“FECCA believes that, as part of the process of attaining Australian citizenship, a greater emphasis should be placed on civics and citizenship education,” said Mr Caputo.

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

22 November 2016

FECCA welcomes the new Scanlon Foundation report Mapping Social Cohesion: The Scanlon Foundation surveys 2016 which demonstrates wide support for multiculturalism and positive attitudes toward immigration among Australians.

Mr Joe Caputo, FECCA Chairperson said: “The Scanlon Foundation report found consistent high levels of agreement that ‘multiculturalism has been good for Australia.’

Mr Caputo continued: “This is a positive story—that the overwhelming majority of Australians, whether born in Australia or overseas, accept that multiculturalism is good for this country and has always been good for this country.”

However, Mr Caputo expressed concern over the report’s findings of increased negativity towards Muslims and a rise in the proportion of people experiencing discrimination on the basis of skin colour, ethnicity or religion: “This demonstrates the importance of organisations like FECCA in encouraging an inclusive and harmonious multicultural Australian society and protecting the interests of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australians,” said Mr Caputo.

He continued: “It also demonstrates the importance of strong Racial Discrimination legislation and the retention of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) that provides protection against racially motivated attacks, including hate speech.”

FECCA opposes any attempt to amend or weaken Section 18C of the RDA.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from CALD 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

19 November 2016

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) urges all political parties to resist inflammatory statements when discussing immigration and to ensure that debate is balanced, reasonable and informed and does not marginalise any particular group.

FECCA Chairperson, Joe Caputo expressed concerns over the recent comments by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Peter Dutton MP who criticised former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s policy of welcoming refugees and migrants, referred to refugees “delivering their troubles onto our shores,” and linked specific communities to broader law and order challenges.

Mr Caputo said: “While public discussion on immigration is important, any debate must take place within the bounds of respectful discourse. I caution against inflammatory statements that may divide Australians along racial, cultural, linguistic or religious lines.”

“Australia has a proud history of immigration, which has brought many benefits to the nation. We must defend Australia’s harmonious and vibrant multicultural society that has contributed to Australia’s economic, intellectual and cultural success” Mr Caputo added.

FECCA encourages all Australians to combat stereotypes and prejudice which underpin racism in our community. Mr Caputo urged leaders to facilitate constructive dialogue and cross cultural understanding and to harness the goodwill and participation of all Australians in building a national movement for positive change.

FECCA is the peak national 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 Comments: 0424 910 6175 or emma@fecca.org.au

18 November 2016

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today called for a balanced debate on 457 visa-holders and other temporary migrant workers in Australia.

The peak body representing ethnic communities said that the value of migrants to the country and the importance of safeguarding the welfare of migrant workers had to be recognised.

FECCA Chairperson Joe Caputo said, “These temporary visa holders are already some of the most vulnerable workers in Australia. Governments and communities should do all that they can to reduce the appalling rate of workplace exploitation against these people”.

“The decision to reduce the period that 457 visa-holders can remain in Australia after ceasing to work for their sponsors—from 90 days to 60 days—increases the vulnerability of these workers, and discourages them from leaving workplaces where they experience exploitation and mistreatment.”

The reliance of 457 visa holders on their employers for the continuance of their visas is a significant vulnerability and means that employers continue to have significant control over an employee’s presence in Australia.

Migrant workers bring skills, knowledge and experience to Australia. Additionally, by contributing to the diversity of our communities they help to build a productive and culturally rich Australian society.

However, a lack of knowledge about the Australian workplace relations scheme, including their workplace rights and entitlements, lack of support networks, social isolation and language barriers all contributed to their heightened vulnerability.

FECCA is the peak national 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.

For more information see www.fecca.org.au.

Media Comments: FECCA Office – (02) 6282 5755 or media@fecca.org.au.

8 November 2016

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today announced the appointment of Dr Emma Campbell as its new Director.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Joe Caputo, said that he was delighted to welcome Dr Campbell to run the operations of Australia’s peak representative body for ethnic communities.

“Emma’s hands-on experience in the humanitarian sector, as well as her high-level business experience and academic credentials means that she is well placed to advance FECCA’s goals of celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion,” Mr Caputo said.

“In particular, Emma’s knowledge of new and emerging communities will be of great benefit to FECCA and its members”.

Dr Campbell previously worked with the international medical charity, Médecins sans Frontières in Africa and the Middle East. She has experience as Adviser to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, as well as senior management positions at Cathay Pacific Airways. Emma was also Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National University’s Korea Institute.

Dr Campbell has worked or lived in more than 10 countries and territories including Lebanon, Sierra Leone, South Korea, China, India, Swaziland, Turkey and Hong Kong. She speaks Chinese and Korean and has an extensive understanding of issues faced by Australia’s diverse and multicultural communities.

Dr Campbell holds a Bachelors of Law and Chinese from the University of Leeds and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. She has a PhD in Political and Social Change from the Australian National University. Emma has published widely on a range of topics including Korean unification, security, migration and humanitarian assistance. Her book A New Nationalism in South Korea: The End of “One Korea”? was published this year.

Dr Campbell said, “I grew up in a diverse community and my career has taken me to different places around the world, often to work with people in challenging circumstances.

“I firmly believe in the benefits for all of an inclusive and harmonious multicultural society. I look forward to working with FECCA to promote multiculturalism as a core Australian value”.

FECCA is the peak, national 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.

For more information, see www.fecca.org.au.

CONTACT: (02) 6282 5755, media@fecca.org.au.

1 November 2016

FECCA has made a submission to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, in response to the discussion paper about the introduction of temporary sponsored parent visas.

The proposed new visa will allow overseas parents of Australians to stay in the country for up to five years, and the visa holder may apply to renew their visa for further periods of up to five years at a time.

The newly announced temporary visa for parents provides individuals with a further option when considering migration to Australia to join their children.

“Family migration is important, allowing migrants to maintaining family ties and connection. We are supportive of additional options for family reunion,” said FECCA Chairperson Joe Caputo. “However, it is important that the introduction of the new temporary visa for parents does not result in the removal or reduction of existing parent visas”

FECCA is concerned that a shift away from permanent parent visas to flexible temporary parent visas will leave many individuals without a social safety net and no access to crucial services. This will put pressure on Australian families and individuals who hold temporary parent visas. It could also create a class of migrants who are not supported to settle in Australia, affecting social cohesion. Empowering immigrants and allowing them the resources and tools to participate in Australian society is critical in fostering their economic and social contributions.

FECCA’s submission raises concerns including whether costs associated with the visa will prohibitive for some potential applicants and their families, the requirements for the visa, and the importance of pathways to permanent residence.

You can read FECCA’s submission here.

Media Comments: FECCA Office – (02) 6282 5755, media@fecca.org