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