The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) expresses its sympathy to Australia’s Greek Orthodox community following the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos.

FECCA Chair Ms Mary Patetsos said His Eminence has served Australia’s Greek Orthodox community with dignity and compassion since being elected Archbishop of Australia in 1975.

“Our thoughts are with Greek Orthodox Australians following the loss of their community and Church leader His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos,” she said.

“Archbishop Stylianos was a dedicated faith leader who served both the Church and the Greek Australian community with humanity and a strong sense of social justice.

“His Eminence was also a man who worked to build bridges between communities, showing strong international leadership in orthodoxy as well as promoting inter-faith relations in Australia.

“FECCA offers its condolences to all Greek Orthodox Australians at this time.”

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

Contact: 0434 307 012 / mohammad@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

On behalf of our members:

• Ethnic Communities’ Council of New South Wales
• Multicultural Communities’ Council of Illawarra Inc
• Multicultural Council of Griffith Inc
• Multicultural Communities Council Wagga Wagga Inc
• Young & District Multicultural Association Inc
• Hunter Multicultural Communities Inc
• Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria
• Diversitat (Geelong Ethnic Communities’ Council)
• Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council
• Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District
• Gippsland Ethnic Communities’ Council Inc
• Albury- Wodonga Ethnic Communities’ Council Inc
• North East Multicultural Association
• Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities’ Council Inc
• Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
• Ethnic Communities Council of Logan Inc
• Multicultural Communities Council of Gold Coast
• Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia
• Multicultural Council of Tasmania
• ACT Multicultural Council Inc
• Multicultural Council of The Northern Territory
• Ethnic Communities Council of Western Australia

FECCA today said that the Morrison Government’s proposed cut to Australia permanent migrant intake by 30,000 in order to ease congestion sends the wrong message to the Australian community.

FECCA Chair Ms Mary Patetsos said the debate around congestion was an issue of infrastructure investment, not one of migration.

“FECCA welcomes the Morrison Government’s infrastructure spending commitments in the lead up to the Federal Budget.

“These commitments are a recognition of the need to invest in infrastructure in order to keep up with population growth in Australia’s major cities.

“However it is extremely important that following the atrocities in Christchurch political leaders not conflate the issue of congestion with migration. To do so is not only erroneous but irresponsible.

“Care must be taken at this time to reassure Australians from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds that they belong and are welcome in Australia.”

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

Contact: 0434 307 012 / mohammad@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) expresses its sympathy and support for the victims of the shootings today at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

While the situation is evolving, early reports suggest these were attacks against those of the Muslim community.

These horrific and cowardly attacks happened in places where Muslim New Zealanders go to express their faith in peace.

Violence of any kind that is motivated by hatred towards ethnic or religious groups has no place in society.

People of faith should feel free to exercise their beliefs without threat of violence and intimidation.

On behalf of Australia’s ethnic communities FECCA expresses its solidarity with the individual victims, their families, the Christchurch community, and all New Zealanders.

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

Contact: 0434 307 012 / mohammad@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

FECCA today welcomed the recognition from the Federal Government of the importance of diversity in the aged care workforce, but cautioned against relying on visa arrangements to meet workforce shortages in the sector.

The comments come after the Federal Government announced a new scheme that enables aged care providers to sponsor aged care workers from overseas through a Temporary Skill Shortage visa or an Employer Nomination Scheme visa.

FECCA Chairperson Ms Mary Patetsos said the Federal Government should focus on investing in training local workers to meet the needs of the sector.

“FECCA welcomes the recognition from the Federal Government that diversity within the aged care workforce is critical to providing quality care to older Australians,” she said.

“The aged care and disability sectors will need a competent and skilled workforce that matches the diversity of older Australians.

“This includes sourcing people with language and cultural competency in our domestic workforce and if there remains a real gap in language skills, sourcing appropriately skilled people from overseas.

“However we caution against taking the easy option of using a visa solution to address what is an Australian workforce issue.

“FECCA strongly urges the Federal Government to focus on investing in training the local workforce to meet the demand from the aged care sector.”

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

Contact: 0434 307 012 / mohammad@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com