The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today releases the responses from the Australian Greens and the Australian Labor Party outlining how they intend to ensure Australia continues its legacy of successful multiculturalism.

In the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) called for all parties to adopt a policy platform that responds to Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity. FECCA released Governing for Culturally Diverse Australia: A policy platform to respond to Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity. The memorandum outlined FECCA’s election asks, recognising that targeted policies are necessary to address the specific needs of Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population, foster social inclusion and to continue attracting migrants.

FECCA provided its election asks to the Coalition, Australian Labor Party and Australian Greens on 8 May, seeking their commitment to specific policy actions on a number of key issues. FECCA has received the following responses:

• The Australian Greens’ response

• The Australian Labor Party’s response

We hope these questions and answers from the Australian Labor Party and Australian Greens are a useful guide on important issues for the Federal Election.

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The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today released a new report which acts as a guide for Governments on how to engage with new and emerging migrant communities.

The report, titled New and Emerging Communities in Australia: Enhancing Capacity for Advocacy, also maps how new and emerging migrant communities currently represent their interests to government, and provides recommendations on how these communities can improve the effectiveness of their advocacy to decision makers.

FECCA CEO Mohammad Al-Khafaji said it is essential that all of Australia’s migrant groups are able to effectively advocate to Governments and other stakeholders.

“Almost one third of Australians were born overseas – a higher proportion than in the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK,” he said.

“Those figures include Australians who were born in almost 200 different countries.

“While there are many large, established migrant communities, such as those from the UK, China, India and New Zealand, we are also seeing the growth of newer, smaller migrant communities.

“The social and economic disadvantage that many migrant and refugee communities face — especially those who are recently arrived — means it is important they have strong and effective advocates.

“Effective advocacy helps Governments better understand the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities with the goal of improving outcomes for those individuals and communities.

“FECCA advocates on behalf of all culturally and linguistically diverse Australians, however we also want to ensure Governments know how to engage with these communities and that all migrant groups are equipped with the tools to secure good outcomes for their communities.”

Read the full report here.

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.

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FECCA today pays tribute to Bob Hawke, who as Prime Minister sought to enshrine in the nation’s character and law the principle that all Australians, wherever they came from, were entitled to the same opportunities.

During a period of tension and xenophobia directed at migrant communities, Bob Hawke rejected division and instead brought Australia closer to its neighbours, recognising that Asia was central to Australia’s future prosperity.

Australian multicultural public policy was consolidated and embedded in the machinery of Government in Bob Hawke’s time as Prime Minister with the creation of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in his own portfolio – the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It played a pivotal role in advancing multicultural public policy from its creation in 1987.

Bob engaged with FECCA regularly, and during his time in office worked to make Government institutions more accessible to migrant communities, including through the establishment of the National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia.

Australia needs champions of unity like Bob as much today as ever. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

He loved people; regardless of race.
He hated racism and bigotry.
He was a Champion for Multiculturalism.

Vale Hawkey.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)  has welcomed Labor’s election commitment to invest $100 million to expand access to culturally appropriate aged care facilities for Australia’s migrant communities.

FECCA Chairperson Ms Mary Patetsos said FECCA has been advocating strongly for greater access to culturally appropriate aged care services on behalf of its members, and called for increased support in its federal election policy platform.

“Our consultations with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians have identified a range of barriers that they face in accessing appropriate quality aged care services,” she said.

“These include language barriers between CALD residents and staff, and in some instances a lack of understanding of residents’ cultural and faith backgrounds.

“Every Australian has the right to quality aged care, which is why FECCA called for greater support for existing multicultural and ethno-specific providers and for mandatory cultural competency training for all aged care providers and workers.

“FECCA welcomes this proposed investment which will help ensure more culturally appropriate aged care services are available to older CALD Australians.”

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.

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FECCA has welcomed the announcement that SBS will launch a dedicated free-to-air world movies channel from 1 July 2019.

FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos said the dedicated 24-hour channel will help Australia’s migrant communities stay connected with their culture, heritage and language.

“FECCA welcomes the announcement that SBS will launch SBS World Movies this year,” she said.

“International cinema is a great way for migrant communities to stay connected to their culture, heritage and language.

“World movies also provide a platform for the broader community to engage with and learn about cultures and languages.

“Australia’s cultural diversity is one of its greatest strengths and SBS has a long history of celebrating that diversity on its broadcast platforms.”

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.

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The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) welcomes swift action taken today by the Liberal Party to disendorse their candidate for Lyons Jessica Whelan, after it was revealed she made anti-Muslim comments on social media.

In the posts, Ms Wheelan said “You shouldn’t even be in Australia if you believe in ALLAH!” and “Don’t bloody send them to Tasmania. We don’t want them”, as well as calling for a referendum on whether or not to close Australia’s borders to Muslims.

Her disendorsement comes after another Liberal candidate, Jeremy Hearn, was also sacked for making anti-Muslim comments.

FECCA Chairperson Ms Mary Patetsos said racist speech had no place in the Australian parliament.

“We have seen more and more racist speech creeping into our public discourse in recent times,” she said.

“When racist speech comes from our political and civic leaders, there is real danger it can proliferate those sentiments within our society.

“This type of speech divides us and makes Australia a less safe place for our migrant communities.

“FECCA welcomes the swift action to disendorse these candidates and reminds all candidates to be respectful of multicultural communities during the federal election campaign.

“In the wake of the Christchurch tragedy, this is one way we can ensure our political system helps make Australia a safer place, rather than a more divisive place for its citizens.”

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.

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The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has today welcomed Labor’s commitment to increase funding for the Australian Human Rights Commission to help crack down on racist hate speech.

FECCA also supports Labor’s pledge to strengthen enforcement of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes hate speech unlawful, and to “assist” the Commission to renew campaigns against hate speech.

FECCA Chairperson Ms Mary Patetsos said FECCA had called for these commitments in their Federal Election policy platform.

“We called for a national anti-racism campaign when we launched our Federal Election Platform Governing for culturally diverse Australia, so we are encouraged by this commitment to renew support for anti-hate speech campaigns,” she said.

“FECCA has also fought hard against the watering down of the Racial Discrimination Act, so we support this additional funding to strengthen the Australian Human Rights Commission, as well as the commitment to boost enforcement of section 18C.

“FECCA calls on the other major parties to also adopt these commitments, which will help to limit speech and behaviour that divides our communities.

“Australia’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, which is why we want to encourage all major parties to adopt policies that ensure all Australians can fully participate in and contribute to society.”

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 / media@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com