Media Releases

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), in its pre-Budget submission, has called on the Federal Government to increase its funding of care for older people of migrant background.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said: “In older age, Australians of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background deserve care which meets their needs and expectations.

“This is why our pre-Budget submission argues for increased funding to support Australians in areas including dementia care accessibility to My Aged Care.”

FECCA’s pre-Budget submission calls for the Budget to include resources to:

• support the implementation of the National Aged Care Diversity Framework
• provide targeted assistance to CALD Australians living with dementia including language assistance
• fund bilingual and bicultural capability in aged care assessment teams
• ensure adequate resourcing for the development of a CALD inclusive aged care navigator service to provide equity of access for older CALD Australians, their carers and representatives.

Ms Patetsos said: “Outside of the ageing and aged care portfolio, FECCA calls on the Government to continue supporting Australia’s successful multicultural community by further developing access and equity to Government services; supporting SBS and supporting the Australian Human Rights Commission and its work to prevent racism and discrimination.”

“We look forward to working with the Government to achieve positive outcomes for all Australians of all backgrounds.”

Other key priorities from FECCA’s pre-Budget submission include:

• continued support for the Mental Health in Multicultural Australian (MHiMA) project
• targeted support for CALD young Australians to find pathways to meaningful employment
• continued support for SBS including the reinstatement of SBS’s base funds
• funding to ensure equality of access for CALD Australians to the NDIS.

FECCA’s full pre-Budget submission can be found here.

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.

Contact: Jim Maher 0403 044 216

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) says that Federal Government plans to extend the waiting time for new migrants to access welfare payments will hit the most vulnerable of new arrivals.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos said today that the move would impose considerable hardship.

“We are disappointed by this decision to extend the waiting period for benefits to three years from its current two years,” Ms Patetsos said.

“FECCA believes that this move will create an underclass of migrants—new arrivals who find themselves at even more risk financially as they try to settle into Australia.

“These measures will negatively impact the Australian born children of migrants and disproportionately affect women.

“They will also disadvantage migrant families by restricting access to paid parenting leave.

“The reality is that migrants who come here have always needed time to establish themselves in housing and employment.

“These changes make it harder for migrants to settle in this country—for the sake of what is a relatively modest Government budget saving.

“We appeal to the Government to rethink this measure,” Ms Patetsos said.

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.

Contact: Jim Maher 0403 044 216

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has congratulated winners of this year’s ACT Multicultural Community Awards.

The awards, announced by the ACT Minister for Multiculturalism, Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith, celebrate the achievements of individuals and businesses who work to support multiculturalism in the ACT.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said today: “These awards go to people who have shown generosity of spirit as well as commitment to promoting community harmony in our diverse multicultural Australia.

“I particularly want to pay tribute to the former FECCA Disabilities Chair, Victor Marillanca, who received the Media Award,” Ms Patetsos said.

Minister Stephen-Smith said: “All award recipients invest enormous effort and commitment in the true spirit of multiculturalism and should be truly proud of their efforts.”

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.

Contact: Jim Maher 0403 044 216

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said today that it welcomed any recommendations of a Federal Parliamentary inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes which supported, encouraged and resourced the greater participation of migrant youth in Australian society.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said that FECCA endorsed recommendations in a report by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration for an improved Adult Migrant English Program and for the funding of a migrant youth mentoring scheme focused on sport and the arts.

“These are positive initiatives,” Ms Patetsos said.

“We also welcome the recommendation that the Jobactive program include an employment support service specifically designed for newly arrived and longer term migrants.”

“And the suggestion that support programs for newly arrived youth such as Youth Transition Support should be rolled out nationally is a good one.”

However, Ms Patetsos said, FECCA was disappointed by sections of the report which place undue emphasis on crimes committed by young people born overseas.

“The attempt to present certain ethnicities or cultural groups as having increased criminal tendencies is unfortunate and without basis.”

“The widely-acclaimed success of Australia’s multicultural, diverse society is due to long-standing policies which include, embrace and support new migrants, rather than punitive measures.”

“Indeed, Victorian Police, at their most senior level, have dismissed one so-called ‘migrant gang’ as a ‘non-entity’”, Ms Patetsos said.

You can access the full report here.

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.

Contact: Jim Maher 0403 044 216

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has thrown its full support behind moves for a Modern Slavery Act.

A committee of the Australian Parliament has issued a report into modern slavery, recommending that special legislation be introduced to outlaw slavery, including the appointment of an independent slavery commissioner.

The report, entitled Hidden in plain sight: an inquiry into establishing a modern slavery act in Australia, has been tabled in Parliament by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

 The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said today: “FECCA contributed to this inquiry. We were part of a coalition of NGOs who worked together to lobby for a Modern Slavery Act, an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, scrutiny of supply chains, and better protections for migrant workers, particularly those on temporary visas.”

The Committee’s report recommends:

• Changes to Australia’s visa system to eliminate ‘tied visas’ which often lead to exploitation and modern slavery;
• A uniform national labour-hire licensing scheme; and
• A national compensation scheme for victims of modern slavery.

“Some of the stories heard by the committee were horrific,” Ms Patetsos said.

“This inquiry—and others—have found that in Australia, exploitation of migrant workers and backpackers is commonplace, particularly in regional and rural areas.”

“It is time this issue is addressed and FECCA believes, like the Parliament, that a modern slavery Act is essential,” Ms Patetsos said.

The report can be found here https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/ModernSlavery/Final_report

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.

 Contact: Jim Maher 0403 044 216

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has called on the Australian Government to consider the findings of the United Nations expert panel on racial discrimination, released today.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) found that discrimination, racism and intolerance is on the increase in Australia.

Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said: “The report represents a call for action.”

“Its release and the debate it will generate provides an important opportunity for FECCA and our partner organisations – including representatives of Indigenous Australians – to work with the Government to protect our multicultural nation,” she continued.

Ms Patetsos said: “Over many decades, Australia has been internationally recognised as a great example of a multicultural society.”

“We must protect Australia’s diverse society and work to ensure all Australians can fully participate in our community.”

Ms Patetsos said: “We look forward to collaborating with the Australian Government to address the findings of the UNCERD report and to ensure respect and equity for all Australians, regardless of their background,” Ms Patetsos said.

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.

The report is available here.

Media enquires: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

FECCA today congratulated one of its long-standing Executive team members on his receipt of an award from the National Disability Alliance (NEDA).

Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said that the award of the NEDA Medal to a former head of FECCA, Pino Migliorino, was a great honour.

“Pino was an outstanding Chairperson of FECCA and he has now been recognised for the great work he’s done to help people of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background who live with a disability,” Ms Patetsos said.

She said that FECCA under Mr Migliorino had worked with NEDA to drive the formation of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) CALD Disability Reference Group. This advisory group brings together key civil society stakeholders across Australia to advise the NDIA on issues and concerns relevant to the CALD disability community.

“We congratulate and honour Pino for his work and for receiving this award,” Ms Patetsos said.

“People of CALD background who also live with a disability face unique challenges and it is people like Pino who have worked tirelessly to give them better access to services and a better life.”

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: (0403) 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

FECCA will tonight celebrate a year of achievements for a multicultural Australia with the release of two major reports.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said that the two reports, ‘Access and Equity to Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms for Multicultural Communities’ and ‘Australia’s Bilingual and Bicultural Workforce’, would form a vital resource for government and agencies in their communications with Australia’s diverse communities.

“These two reports set out in detail the needs of our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and their access services as well as the ways we can enhance the role of bilingual workers,” Ms Patetsos said.

In a message to tonight’s event, Senator Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, said:

“I commend FECCA for its invaluable support for the multicultural access and equity policy which promotes government services, programs and policies that are accessible and achieve similar outcomes for all, regardless of cultural and language background.”

Ms Patetsos said that the event in Canberra tonight would bring together many of FECCA’s stakeholders and supporters.

“And it’s a great opportunity for me, as newly elected Chairperson of FECCA, to meet our allies and supporters and to set out our priorities for the year ahead.

“I am delighted that representatives from Commonwealth government departments including Prime Minister and Cabinet, Social Services, Human Services and Health will be attending.

“And I look forward to thanking SBS for the ways they have worked closely and constructively with FECCA on many issues of shared interests.”

Ms Patetsos said that tonight’s event would include a panel discussion involving FECCA and other peak bodies.

“And it’s a great opportunity to celebrate our achievements helping aged CALD Australians as well as our campaigns on behalf of people of migrant and refugee background,” she said.

Senator Seselja said: “I congratulate FECCA and all of FECCA’s member organisations for all of your achievements over the past twelve months.”

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.

Tonight’s event:

Hotel Realm, BARTON, 6pm-8pm

Media contact: (0403) 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said today that the Federal Government’s launch of a new Aged Care Diversity Framework was a milestone in the care of older people from diverse backgrounds.

FECCA chairperson Ms Mary Patetsos said that people of Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds face particular issues as they age.

“The fact is that more than one in every three older Australians was born overseas,” Ms Patetsos said.

“In many cases, CALD Australians revert to their original language in older age, which presents major challenges for aged care providers and the staff who work in the facilities.”

“Australians of all backgrounds deserve aged care that meets their needs and expectations.”

“FECCA was pleased to be part of the Aged Care Sector Committee Diversity Sub-Group, which produced the Framework launched by the Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP.”

“We look forward to continuing to bring our expertise in the care of CALD older Australians to the program.”

Ms Patetsos said that all governments, peak organisations and aged care providers now had a clear road map for the delivery of improved services to older Australians of diverse backgrounds.

“Older Australians deserve our respect, care and help. FECCA looks forward to playing its part in the first series of action plans of the Framework, which targets challenges faced by CALD Australians as they age as well as indigenous elders and those who identify as LGBTIQ,” Ms Patetsos said.

The Australia’s Aged Care Diversity Framework can be found here.

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: (0403) 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Australian Government has told a United Nations committee, meeting in Geneva, that the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) provides the Government with a “grass roots” link to multicultural Australia.

Appearing before the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Dr Lachlan Strahan, First Assistant Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, commenting on the Australian Government’s funding of FECCA, said: “Engaging at both the advisory and grass roots levels ensures that multicultural policy is well-informed and robust.”

Dr Strahan told the international representatives in Geneva that “FECCA is a very good partner to government.”

Ms Mary Patetsos, Chairperson of FECCA, said: “We welcome this recognition by the Australian Government of the central role of FECCA in representing the voices of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians.”

Ms Patetsos continued: “FECCA has a positive and collaborative relationship with the Australian Government. FECCA always works to contribute to government policy in constructive ways to ensure CALD Australians can fully participate in Australian society.”

“We are pleased that the Government has acknowledged that FECCA’s advocacy helps to shape inclusive, equitable, and accessible government policy and services,” she said.

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