Media Releases

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said today that it welcomed the Federal Government’s continuing commitment to the need for a Race Discrimination Commissioner.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said that the Government had already begun the search for a successor to the current Commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane.

“Mr Soutphommasane has been an outstanding Race Discrimination Commissioner and we look forward to his successor in this vital role, which seeks to maintain and enhance the harmony and success of Australia’s multicultural society,” Ms Patetsos said.

Ms Patetsos said that last month, in inviting applicants for the position, the Federal Attorney General, Christian Porter, had stated that the role of the Commissioner includes ‘promoting understanding and acceptance of, and compliance with, the Racial Discrimination Act, promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among racial and ethnic groups, and leading the Australian Human Rights Commission’s work in promoting the benefits of cultural and linguistic diversity for all Australians.’

“FECCA fully supports these aims. FECCA has worked closely with the Race Discrimination Commissioner as part of the National Anti-Racism Partnership and its successful campaign -‘Racism: it stops with me’,” Ms Patetsos said.

“Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner is an important figure in our national life, ensuring we are a country where nation-building and diversity is celebrated—and protected,” Ms Patetsos said.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today called on everybody representing culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older Australians to have their say on the new Aged Care Quality Standards Draft Guidance Material.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said it was vital that organisations and individuals take part in the consultation.

“This is the opportunity to have your voice heard on a range of issues relating to the Standards, including whether they will ensure culturally competent care for older Australians of CALD background,” Ms Patetsos said.

The Draft Guidance Material is now available for public comment on the Quality Agency’s website. The consultation period is open until 31 May.

“It is essential that the needs of older CALD Australians are adequately addressed in the new Standards. They should be able to access quality aged care services that are also culturally inclusive,” Ms Patetsos said.

The Aged Care Quality Standards, developed by the Department of Health, will be legislated from July 2018, subject to Government agreement and parliamentary processes.

There will be a 12-month transition period until assessment against the new Standards commences in July 2019.

The draft guidance includes information for service providers around strategies for action and the use of evidence to demonstrate performance against the Standards.

Further information about these activities is provided on the Quality Agency’s website.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today urged organisations representing culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women to attend the Federal Government’s consultation workshops aimed at developing a National Strategic Approach to Maternity Services (NSAMS).

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos said that FECCA had long advocated on women’s health issues on behalf of CALD Australians.

“FECCA believes that all Australian women should be able to access culturally safe maternity services in their preferred language,” she said.

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA, which is a member of the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, has called for a Culturally Competent Maternity Plan for CALD Women, which should include:

• Language services;
• Bilingual and bicultural workers;
• Cultural competency training for staff; and
• Culturally-appropriate antenatal surveys of risk factors.

“The workshops now being held around Australia give organisations representing CALD Australians a great opportunity to have their say about the way maternity services should be provided to women in their communities,” Ms Patetsos said.

Places are still available in workshops to be held at:

• Campbelltown, Tasmania (21 May)
• Dubbo, NSW (23 May)
• Tweed Heads, NSW (25 May
• Alice Springs, NT (4 June)

More information on the workshops is available here. FECCA’s submission can be found here.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today welcomed the release by the National Disability Insurance Agency of its Cultural and Linguistic Diverse Strategy 2018 but emphasised that it could succeed only if properly funded by Government.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said that the long-awaited release of the strategy was an important step forward in ensuring that people of CALD background had full and equal access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“FECCA has been working closely with the NDIA on developing this strategy, given that people with disability from a CALD background face particular challenges in accessing the NDIS,” Ms Patetsos said.

“More than a quarter of Australians were born overseas. Yet CALD Australians remain under-represented in those accessing disability services under the NDIS.”

Ms Patetsos said that the strategy released today needed to be backed up by adequate and appropriate resources.

“The NDIS should be made more accessible to people of CALD background, who should be aware of what it offers and have confidence that it can meet their needs.

“The strategy recognises that the NDIS needs to develop sophisticated, targeted data collection as well as skills in cultural competency, in order to engage with people of culturally and diverse background.

“Put simply, Australians of CALD background deserve a fair go—equal access to the NDIS and culturally competent services. We are pleased to see the release of the strategy but the Federal Government will need to ensure that appropriate funds are provided to make it a success,” Ms Patetsos said.

The Cultural and Linguistic Diverse Strategy 2018 can be found here.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today applauded a Government decision to drop a proposal which would have dramatically increased the income requirement for people seeking to bring their parents to Australia.

“The Federal parliamentarians who opposed this proposal by the Government have acted with compassion and common sense,” the Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said today.

“They listened to the people in their communities who were upset and outraged by this change to the Assurance of Support scheme.

“As a result, the Government will not proceed with the measure.”

Ms Patetsos said that under the Government proposal an individual trying to sponsor their two parents would have needed to prove an income of $86,606, up from $35,793 under previous rules. Minimum income requirements would have increased by up to 188 per cent.

“There is no doubt that family reunion enhances successful settlement, promotes social cohesion and drives economic prosperity. These changes would have affected all family reunions, regardless of place of origin, with the additional costs imposing a heavy financial impact on Australian families”

Ms Patetsos said that earlier this week, FECCA had written to the Minister for Social Services, Hon. Dan Tehan, requesting that the proposal be dropped.

“We are pleased that the Minister has listened to FECCA and communities across Australia and made the decision not to proceed with the proposal,” Ms Patetsos said.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) tonight gave a cautious welcome to the boost to aged care funding announced in the Federal Budget.

The Government has committed to an additional $5 billion increase in funding for aged care through the More Choices for a Longer Life package. This includes:

• An additional 14,000 high-level home care packages,13,500 new residential aged care places, and 775 short-term restorative places;
• Investment to support aged care providers in regional, rural and remote Australia;
• The establishment of an Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and additional resources to help providers to implement the new standards;
• $61.7 million to make MyAgedCare easier to use, and $7.4 million for trial navigators to assist people to choose the aged care services that suits their needs; and
• Increased funding for palliative care, innovations in managing dementia and mental health programs for older Australians.

FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos said: “FECCA welcomes this boost to aged care in the Federal Budget.

“However, FECCA is disappointed that there was no funding specifically earmarked for ensuring culturally-competent care for older Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds,” Ms Patetsos said.

“Nevertheless, the extra funding provides an opportunity for improved care for all older Australians and we urge the Government to ensure that the needs of CALD Australians are given appropriate emphasis in these aged care initiatives.

“In particular, CALD organisations should be funded as part of the further development of MyAgedCare and the trial navigators so that the system can support CALD Australians in accessing culturally and linguistically competent service providers.

“Australians of all backgrounds deserve aged care that meets their needs and expectations. We will continue to work to ensure that the voices of older Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse background are heard.”

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said that tonight’s Federal Budget presented some positive opportunities for FECCA and the Government to support and promote a successful and cohesive multicultural Australia.

Ms Mary Patetsos, Chairperson of FECCA said: “FECCA has consistently called on the Government to provide resources to community-led organisations to support their critical role in helping new migrants to settle and integrate.

“We are pleased that the Government will provide an additional $5 million in 2018-2019 for community organisations assisting newly arrived migrants to integrate into Australian society through the Fostering Integration Grants Scheme.

“We congratulate the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs on this important announcement and for consulting with and responding to Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.”

In its pre-Budget submission FECCA had called on the Government to provide appropriate resources to the SBS to support its distinctive and unique role in supporting CALD Australians. The Federal Budget confirmed the reinstatement of SBS’s base funds of $8.7 million for the FY2018-19 that could not be raised as legislation to allow the SBS further advertising flexibility was not passed by Parliament.

FECCA also welcomed other key measures in the Federal Budget including:

• Increased flexibility in the Adult Migrant English Program for migrants aged under 18 years;
• The establishment of an Anti-Slavery Unit within the Department of Home Affairs;
• Streamlining services for newly arrived refugees during the first 26-week period of their arrival to assist them to focus on settlement and improving language skills;
• Additional funding for the Commonwealth Ombudsman;
• Additional funding for the VET Student Loans Ombudsman to assist with managing and investigating student complaints;
• The establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Jobs and Market Fund to help providers; and
• Funding for the implementation taskforce, following the report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Ms Patetsos said: “FECCA will work with the various Departments and Agencies to make sure that this additional funding is used to benefit all Australian including those of CALD backgrounds – ensuring that the NDIS Jobs and Market Fund support small ethno-specific providers; supporting CALD Australians who are victims of child sexual abuse to access the redress scheme; and improving access for CALD Australians to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.”

FECCA also acknowledged positive announcements such as the review of the Australian Public Service.

“FECCA has been working with the APS to improve CALD representation at all levels of the Federal Government and this review is a great opportunity to examine ways of achieving a more diverse Commonwealth Public Service.”

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA was more cautious regarding other Budget measures.

“We are disappointed that the Government has proposed extending the waiting period for migrants from the current two years to four years for various social security payments and to introduce a four-year wait for support including carer allowances, family tax benefit and widow allowances. This is in addition to the three-year wait already proposed in the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Encouraging Self-sufficiency for Newly Arrived Migrants) Bill 2018 which is still before Parliament.

“These changes will impose considerable hardship on migrants at the very time they need a little help to settle into their new home,” Ms Patetsos said.

While welcoming the announcement of a pathway to permanency for Retirement Visa Holders, Ms Patetsos also expressed disappointment that places for the Retirement Visa Holders who wished to apply for permanent residency would be taken from the current planned parent permanent migration quota rather than being additional new places.

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.

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

CONTACT: 0424 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has launched a new consultative and advisory body aimed at achieving the best possible care for older people of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.

Headed by the Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, the Positive CALD Ageing Network Committee (PCAN) includes representatives of CALD aged care providers and consumer groups as well as members from FECCA.

Ms Patetsos said that the committee would:

• Assist FECCA in creating a comprehensive aged care policy agenda to drive policy and planning;
• Convey its work to relevant community groups;
• Listen to the views of CALD communities; and
• Identify issues and provide evidence-based advice to Government.

“This is an exciting development in one of FECCA’s key policy areas—aged care,” Ms Patetsos said.

“PCAN will provide a strong contribution to the work of FECCA in the aged care space. The Committee is comprised of 10 selected members who will work closely with the groups they represent as well as give voice to the many CALD communities in Australia.

“The requirement for membership on the Committee is demonstrated understanding of CALD ageing and aged care issues. The members are selected upon their individual strengths and not due to their organisational commitments.

“We have a strong representation of the CALD communities across most states and territories, bringing together people who have a demonstrated understanding of current and ongoing legislative reforms in the aged care sector”, Ms. Patetsos said.

Ms Patetsos said that PCAN’s membership would be complete when candidates from Tasmania and the Northern Territory joined the Committee. Candidates are invited to nominate.

The Committee (full list below) is expected to meet at least four times a year as well as via teleconference.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au

FECCA PCAN Committee:

Mary Patetsos                               FECCA Chair (SA/National)

Marian Lau                                     FECCA Healthy Ageing Chair (VIC)

Tina Karanastasis                        Ethnic Links Services Manager (SA)

Rosa Colanero                               PICAC Alliance Secretary (National)

Ljubica Petrov                               Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (VIC)

Thomas Camporeale                 CEO Co.As.It (NSW)

Tina Douvos-Stathopoulos     CEO Pronia (VIC)

Anna Harrison                               CEO Umbrella (WA)

Danielja Hlis                                   Dementia advocate and volunteer (QLD)

Chin Wong                                      President ACT Chinese Australia Assn (ACT)

Marta Terracciano                        CEO Residential Gardens (NSW)

Jeff Fiebig                                       ACH Group (generalist provider representative) (SA)

Mental Health Australia, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) have formed an alliance to deliver a new national project announced by Minister for Health The Hon Greg Hunt MP and funded by the Department of Health.

The project will work with multicultural mental health consumers and carers to provide a renewed and much needed national focus on mental health and suicide prevention for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan says it’s an honour to be working alongside such well respected organisations and colleagues in the multicultural community.

“We all have a lot to learn from each other and to unite the mental health and multicultural sectors together, to work closely with CALD consumers, carers, and communities, will make a real difference to service deliver and provision,” said Mr Quinlan.

FECCA Chair Mary Patetsos outlined the importance of understanding cultural sensitives and complexities in ensuring the new project is a success.

“We know that people from CALD backgrounds can experience a number of unique challenges when accessing the mental health system,” said Ms Patetsos.

“These challenges are complex and include issues such as stigma and discrimination, services that are not well equipped to respond to CALD communities’ needs, language barriers, limited awareness of the supports available and trauma experiences.

“That’s why it’s important that experts from across the mental health, multicultural and disability sectors come together with CALD consumers and carers to tackle these significant issues.”

NEDA CEO, Dwayne Cranfield said “The advent of Primary Health Networks and the NDIS mean this project comes at a vital time.

“A national focus on multicultural mental health will help to ensure that people from CALD backgrounds are not forgotten in reform efforts, and that mental health services are working with CALD communities in an equitable way,” said Mr Cranfield.

The project will build on the existing Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia (the Framework). It will establish advisory groups comprising multicultural mental health consumers and carers, and state and territory bodies and other stakeholders, in order to ensure better mental health for people from CALD backgrounds. See here for key facts on mental health in multicultural Australia.

Media Contacts:

Lachlan Searle, Director External Relations, Mental Health Australia – 0488 076 088

Emma Campbell, CEO, FECCA – 0424 910 617

Dwayne Cranfield, CEO, NEDA – 0407 878 933

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said today that the National Compact on Permanent Migration  represented a major step forward in consolidating the importance of migration to Australian society and its economy.

The Compact, signed by employer groups, unions and representatives of Australia’s many multicultural communities, calls for the maintenance of Australia’s permanent migration intake.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said: “This is historic. We are joining with business, unions and everybody who recognises the immense importance of migration to Australia and its continuing prosperity.

“With the other signatories, we support the current permanent intake, its non-discriminatory operation and the rights of migrants to live and pursue life in their new land free of racism, discrimination and exploitation.”

Ms Patetsos said that migrants brought knowledge, skills and social capital to build Australia’s. economy.

“The diversity, energy and entrepreneurship of migrants delivers invaluable economic resources to our nation. This has been recognized, emphatically, in a recent report by the Federal Government. Today’s Compact of business, unions and representatives of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australia is an important step in addressing recent negative public debate around migration,” she said.

“FECCA is proud to have stood firmly against recent attempts to change hate speech laws, against proposed unfair changes to support for migrants and against attempts to unfairly deny access to citizenship.

“All members of the Compact strongly endorse the rights of migrants to equal participation in Australian society,” Ms Patetsos said.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) is the national peak body representing Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and their organisations. Our role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of our constituency to government, business and the wider community.

CONTACT: 0403 044 216 / emma@fecca.org.au