Media Releases

FECCA has welcomed and strongly endorsed the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) announcement that it plans to develop a National Anti-Racism Framework, and has encouraged all levels of Government to support the process.

Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan launched the plan today and will soon commence a series of roundtables with peak organisations to progress the plan.

FECCA has been calling for a national anti-racism strategy and campaign in the wake of consistent community reports of racism. The Christchurch tragedy and the increased incidents of racial abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted that it is urgent for Australia to genuinely address racism.

FECCA also welcomes Minister for Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke’s support of the plan and his announcement that the Government will develop a new Social Cohesion Strategy, something FECCA has discussed with the Minister in the past.

FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos said a National Anti-Racism Framework was essential as part of a broader social cohesion strategy for Australia.

“The Christchurch tragedy and the COVID-19 pandemic have shone a light on racism in Australia and its consequences,” Ms Patetsos said.

“The time is right to take this issue seriously and take genuine, effective steps towards improving social cohesion, in partnership with the community.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s support of the plan and encourage them to consider creating a community advisory group made up of prominent representatives of CALD and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, so that they can advise on the development of the National Anti-Racism Framework and Social Cohesion Strategy.

“As a country that prides itself on multiculturalism, we cannot ignore that persistent incidents of racial abuse and structural racism have a devastating impact on people’s sense of belonging and their ability to fully and equally participate in Australian society.

“We look forward to working with and supporting the AHRC and the Federal Government in the development of the Framework to ensure it meets the needs of both recent and established multicultural Australians of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.”

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

For media inquiries contact: 0401 125 370 or media@fecca.org.au

FECCA has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services the Hon Richard Colbeck that the Federal Government will provide an additional $9.67 million in funding per year over two years for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). This funding will support the delivery of respite services for older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds at 40 aged care and disability care providers.

Importantly, FECCA has also called on the Federal Government to commit to continue providing block funding to ethno-specific and multicultural CHSP providers so they can offer tailored home support services to multicultural communities and help relieve the burden currently placed on families.

Currently, evidence suggests CALD older Australians are underrepresented in the accessing of home support, and that those demands are met to a large extent by family members and carers. Ethno-specific and multicultural CHSP providers are therefore essential in providing respite to carers of CALD older people, by providing culturally safe and appropriate care alongside language services.

FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos welcomed the new funding.

“FECCA welcomes the new funding announced today for aged care and disability care CHSP providers, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the Federal Government on the framework for the delivery of these services,” Ms Patetsos said.

“However, we want to ensure that this funding is in addition to block funding available to ethno-specific and multicultural providers currently funded under CHSP.

“These providers play an essential role in meeting the social support and other care needs of CALD older people right across Australia in very diverse communities.

“Block funding means providers have a degree of flexibility in how they develop and implement social support services, which is important to ensure services are appropriate to the communities being served. This will help relieve the disproportionate burden currently placed on the family members of older CALD Australians.

“Ethno-specific and multicultural CHSP providers know their communities extremely well, their staff are embedded in those communities, and they have built strong trust and rapport with care recipients and their families.”

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

For media inquiries contact: 0401 125 370 or media@fecca.org.au

FECCA today welcomes the release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and acknowledges the Federal Government’s early commitment to systemic reform of aged care and additional funding for the sector.

FECCA looks forward to seeing the detail of that funding allocation, and understand that this is just the beginning of a long and complex reform process.

“As the Federal Government embarks on that reform process, we call on the Government to ensure equitable access to aged care services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians.” FECCA Chair Mary Patetsos said

FECCA welcomes the recommendation of Commissioner Tony Pagone QC that an aged care advisory council be created. FECCA calls for CALD inclusion on any such advisory structures at the highest level to ensure that issues of equitable access to quality aged care services for CALD Australians receive appropriate representation.

In relation to the redrafting of the Aged Care Act 1997, this should be done in a way that recognises the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and should specifically recognise the need for interpreter services in the provision of aged care services.

“The Act should recognise and make provision for niche providers who most appropriately deliver services for diverse communities, and should provide a legislated role for advocates and sector navigators so they can better assist vulnerable older people in accessing the reformed aged care system.” Ms Patetsos said

FECCA will also take an interest in the commission’s recommendation in regards to workforce, system regulation, consumer control and rights, and sector transparency.

FECCA has been an active participant in the Royal Commission process. FECCA made a submission on behalf of CALD Australians and also facilitated many CALD Australians making submissions of their own.

FECCA once again welcomes the findings and looks forward to working constructively with the Government to improve the aged care sector for all Australians.

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

For media inquiries contact: 0401 125 370 or media@fecca.org.au