Media Releases

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) is calling for consumers and carers from multicultural communities to join an advisory group that aims to improve mental health care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said today: “We urge carers and consumers from CALD backgrounds with an interest in this important area of health care to get involved.

“The National Multicultural Mental Health Project will be run by Mental Health Australia, FECCA and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) and funded with $3.9 million by the Department of Health.

“We are inviting individuals from CALD backgrounds with a personal experience of mental health issues or who have cared for a person with mental health issues to apply to become members of the CALD Mental Health Consumer and Carer Group.

“This group will be a key source of advice to the National Multicultural Mental Health Project, ensuring that the views and interests of CALD consumers and carers are included.”

Ms Patetsos said that the group would have up to 16 members, selected from various communities and all states and territories. It would continue for the funded project period to 31 December 2020.

As the lead organisation on the project, Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan says the aim is to establish an advisory group which represents the diversity of multicultural communities from all across Australia.

“The advice of people from multicultural communities, who have experienced mental health issues, or cared for someone who has experienced mental health issues, will be essential to the success of the overall project and to improving the system,” said Mr Quinlan.

“This is an opportunity to make a difference, and to ensure this important national project strongly reflects the views and interests of the multicultural communities it serves, and we welcome people with a range of experiences from different backgrounds to take part.”

Further information and application forms are available here.

For any questions on the application process, contact Pauline Gwatirisa at FECCA: 02 6282 5755 or pauline@fecca.org.au.

Media Contact:

Emma Campbell, CEO, FECCA – 0424 910 617

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

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said today that new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data indicating that over half of Australia’s permanent migrants own or are buying their own home is a graphic illustration of migrants’ commitment to Australia.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said: “This is a wonderful demonstration of the Australian migrant experience and the success of Multicultural Australia.

“This new data, showing that 54 per cent of permanent migrants own or are buying a home, illustrates the commitment of migrants to their new land and their determination to be an integral part of Australian society.

“This financial investment in Australia says much about the economic success story of our multicultural society. It’s an illustration of how migrants’ hard work and ambition delivers economic growth, nation-building and social cohesion to our country.”

More information on the data 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 paid tribute to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SBS, Michael Ebeid AM, following his decision to step down after seven and half years at the helm of the media organisation.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said: “Michael Ebeid’s guidance of SBS has been transformative. He has expanded and widened the broadcaster’s audience, while remaining fiercely committed to all the values which make SBS such an integral part of Multicultural Australia.

“Under Michael Ebeid, SBS TV, radio and online services truly reflect a diverse and enriched Australia.

“The news, information, entertainment selection and language options available on SBS provide a wonderful choice for those millions of Australians who seek high-quality news and entertainment.

“And the SBS in-language programs aid migrant participation in Australian life, with about 1.5 million podcast downloads of SBS in-language programs every month.

“SBS is now more than ever a vigorous and visible embodiment of the ongoing success of Australia’s great multicultural society,” Ms Patetsos said.

“FECCA thanks Michael and wishes him all the very best for the future.”

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 today that maintaining a strong level of family migration was essential to the continuing success of Australia’s multicultural society.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said that Australia needed to protect and support Australians of all backgrounds in their access to family reunions, following reports of a 10 per cent cut in permanent migration in 2017-18, with fewer family reunions.

“FECCA believes that family migration is integral to the successful settlement of migrants in Australia, and also contributes to social cohesion and the wellbeing of the whole community. It is important that family ties and connections are maintained, as it assists in successful settlement, economic participation and integration,” Ms Patetsos said.

“Australia has a proud history of immigration, which has brought many benefits to the nation.

“Migration bring skills, knowledge and experience to Australia. And, by contributing to the diversity of our communities, migration has built a productive and culturally rich Australian society.

“FECCA recognises that our successful immigration system should continue to be underpinned by integrity, transparency and fairness,” 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 congratulated the Fair Work Ombudsman for an audit of food and beverage premises which resulted in the recovery of $472,000 in underpayments for 616 workers.

The FWO audit of popular ‘cheap eat’ destinations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane found that 72 per cent of the 243 businesses visited were in breach of workplace laws.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said: “FECCA applauds the continuing vigilance of the Fair Work Ombudsman on this issue.

“The reality is that a great number of workers in these businesses are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In too many cases they are being exploited by operators in the food and beverage industry.

“We call on employers to do the right thing and abide by workplace laws. And we urge workers in these businesses to learn about their legal entitlements to payment and conditions,” Ms Patetsos said.

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Food Precincts Activities Report 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 called on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) organisations and individuals to make use of the Federal Government’s new journalism scholarship and cadetship programs.

The new Government initiative, the Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package, offers three programs to support journalism and employment in the news media industry in regional Australia.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said today: “This is a great opportunity for small  media businesses as well as young aspiring journalists in regional Australia.

“FECCA congratulates the Government on this initiative. We have been advised that publishers which target CALD communities and publish in languages other than English can apply.

“FECCA is committed to promoting diversity in Australian journalism and we also urge CALD Australians to apply for the scholarships and cadetships being offered.”

The three programs are:

• Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund ($48 million over three years);
• Regional and Small Publishers Cadetship Program ($8 million over two years); and
• Regional Journalism Scholarships Program ($2.4 million over two years).

Further information for the Innovation Fund is available at www.acma.gov.au/theacma/innovation-fund-for-regional-and-small-publishers

Further information for the Cadetships Program and the Scholarships Program are available at https://www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/television/regional-and-small-publishers-jobs-and-innovation-package

Applications for all three programs need to be made through GrantConnect at www.grants.gov.au. Guidelines for all three programs are also published on GrantConnect.

Applications close at 5pm on 27 July 2018.

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