Media Releases

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today called on the Government to reconsider its decision to compel refugees seeking asylum, who came to Australia for medical treatment, to return to Nauru or Manus Island by cutting their support payments.

Chairperson of FECCA, Mr Joe Caputo OAM said: ‘FECCA is very concerned about the situation on Manus Island and Nauru. We do not believe that it is in Australia’s best interests to move these vulnerable people offshore.’

‘We urge the Government to reconsider this decision that will badly impact these individuals,’ Mr Caputo continued.

FECCA supports a non-discriminatory humanitarian resettlement program that is responsive to the growing global needs for refugee resettlement and support.

‘As a signatory to the refugee convention, we call on the government to stand by our moral and international obligations and give refugees the right to be resettled in Australia,’ said Mr Caputo.

FECCA is the national peak 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.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

24 August 2017

FECCA STATEMENT TO SENATE INQUIRY ON CITIZENSHIP

 (Please check against delivery)

The following is the opening statement by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA) Director, Dr Emma Campbell, to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian citizenship and other measures) Bill 2017.

Before I begin my opening statement I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I thank you for inviting FECCA to give evidence to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Migration is central to Australia’s continuing economic, intellectual and social success. Indeed, as noted by our Prime Minister, Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world.

But these foundations of successful settlement and multiculturalism – of a welcoming and respectful society that ensures equality of opportunity to all new Australians – are being eroded. When the concept of a multicultural Australia was introduced nearly 45 years ago in response to changing migration patterns, we could not have imagined that FECCA would still need to be:

• Fighting to maintain anti-discrimination and anti-racism laws, such as 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act;
• Speaking out against racism and intolerance in the rhetoric of Australia’s political leaders and media

And now—calling for fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory immigration and citizenship processes.

FECCA and its members have conducted numerous consultations with community groups and many other stakeholders on this issue. This issue has attracted a response from the communities we represent unlike any other issue.

Over the past few months FECCA has heard from numerous distraught community members who are living productive lives contributing positively to their local communities and the Australian economy.

They feel that changes to the Citizenship Act will negate their years of contribution and place in jeopardy the opportunities of newly arrived migrants who, through no fault of their own, will not be provided the same equality of opportunity. The level of fear and distress in CALD communities is extraordinary and unprecedented.

FECCA believes that this Bill will create a permanent underclass of Australian residents who will be denied the rights and opportunities of being welcomed and included as Australian citizens. Such exclusion undermines the ideal described in the Preamble to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, ‘that citizenship is a ‘common bond’ that unit[es] all Australians’.’ *

The historical Australian tradition of welcoming migrants as citizens early on in their migration journey has encouraged many migrants not just to see Australia as the place where they live, but to see themselves as Australian, regardless of their country of origin.

Australia’s approach to citizenship has contributed to the successful settlement of generations of migrants and the proposed changes run counter to Australia’s long-standing immigration and citizenship policy.

It is unclear what weaknesses have been identified by the Government in the current citizenship process and how this legislation will remedy such deficits. FECCA is deeply concerned about the proposed changes to our system of immigration and citizenship, as detailed in the Bill, which appear to be based on political considerations rather than empirical evidence.

And so FECCA strongly opposes the introduction of this legislation that will dramatically change the rules determining qualification for Australian citizenship.

* See UNSW’s Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law’s submission on Strengthening the Test for Australian Citizenship Consultation. 

 Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) welcomes the recommendations in the newly released final report by the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism.

FECCA’s Acting Chairperson, Ms Eugenia Grammatikakis said: “FECCA welcomes the recommendations in this report which will help to support and promote understanding, acceptance, cohesion and respect in our multicultural Australian community.”

The report outlines a number of key recommendations for the Australian Government including:

• Rejecting proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Act
• Enacting a Federal Multicultural Act
• Taking measures to improve representation and portrayal of Australia’s diversity across the media
• Support for the National Anti-Racism Strategy and the development of a multicultural curriculum; and
• Establishing a National Centre for multiculturalism and diversity.

Ms Grammatikakis said: “FECCA has long advocated for such policies to ensure a strong multicultural society that benefits all Australians.”

“I congratulate the Committee Chairperson, Senator Di Natale, its members and staff for this valuable work,” she said.

Ms Grammatikakis continued: “FECCA calls on the Government and all political parties to take note of this excellent report and adopt its recommendations.”

FECCA is the national peak 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.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

FECCA today applauded the strong stand taken by the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Attorney-General, Senator The Honourable George Brandis QC in response to the offensive actions by Senator Pauline Hanson in the Senate yesterday.

FECCA’s Acting Chairperson, Ms Eugenia Grammatikakis said: “Senator Brandis has shown leadership and strength in his strong repudiation of the anti-Muslim and racist behaviour of the One Nation Leader”.

Ms Grammatikakis continued: “We also applaud all those Senators who gave Senator Brandis a standing ovation following his eloquent defence of Australia’s multicultural society and traditions.”

FECCA is the national peak 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.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has urged the Government to ensure that diverse voices are heard in the proposed postal vote on marriage equality.

Ms Eugenia Grammatikakis, Acting Chair of FECCA said: “FECCA calls on the Government through the Australian Electoral Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to ensure that Australians of all backgrounds are included on the electoral roll and are fully informed of the postal vote process.”

“Postal votes are unfamiliar to most Australians including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It is critical that an inclusive process is adopted and that appropriate information and support is provided throughout the process to communities vulnerable to being disenfranchised,” she said.

Ms Grammatikakis continued: “The 2016 Census shows that more than one fifth of Australians (21 per cent) speak a language other than English at home and nearly half of Australians had either been born overseas or have one or both parents who were born overseas.”

“This means that information including how to register on the electoral roll, and on the postal vote process, must be provided to CALD communities through a range of channels and community languages,” she said.

Ms Grammatikakis emphasised: “This must be a priority for the Government to prevent the disenfranchisement of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”

“As was the case with the 2016 Census, this type of education campaign requires resources and time. FECCA would welcome details about how CALD communities will be informed and included in this process and would be pleased to work with the ABS and AEC to this end.”

FECCA is the national peak 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.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Australian Greens that they will introduce draft laws for an Australian charter of rights and refer them to a parliamentary inquiry for discussion and consultation.

Ms Eugenia Grammatikakis, Acting Chair of FECCA said: “FECCA has consistently called on all parties to develop a national legislative framework on multiculturalism , through a robust process of consultation and legislative inquiry, which recognises and protects the rights of every person in Australia’s multicultural society.”

Ms Grammatikakis said: “Multiculturalism needs to be embedded, not just in government policy, but in the Australian political system, through a whole of government approach, which recognises, values and protects cultural, religious, racial and linguistic diversity.”

Ms Grammatikakis continued: “Public consultation through an inquiry looking into an Australian charter of rights provides an opportunity to explore legislative protection for multiculturalism and diversity. FECCA looks forward to submitting our views. We urge all sides of politics to support the inquiry.”

FECCA is the national peak 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.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) pays tribute to Les Murray, the renowned SBS broadcaster, and football journalist, who passed away yesterday.

Les Murray, played a major role in the development of football in Australia and helped the ‘world game’ become one of the nation’s mainstream sports.

Les arrived in Australia as a young refugee from Hungary and committed himself to advocating for the rights of other migrants and refugees. He was courageous, passionate and outspoken in his call for protection and justice for refugees.

Known as “Mr Football”, Les Murray will be remembered as a great man who was an inspiration to Australians of all cultural and sporting backgrounds.

FECCA is the national peak 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.

Media contact: (0424) 910617 / emma@fecca.org.au