The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) said today that the election of a new Prime Minister should not be used as a catalyst for changes to Australia’s long-standing non-discriminatory, fair and welcoming immigration policies.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said that for decades, Australia’s political leaders from both sides had committed themselves to a multicultural Australia and the social and economic benefits it has delivered to the nation.

“While we congratulate the new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, on his elevation and look forward to working constructively with his Government on matters relating to Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse background, we urge the new Prime Minister to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to respectful debate,” Ms Patetsos said.

“FECCA and the communities it represents have been alarmed and disappointed by the extreme views expressed by public figures recently around immigration matters generally, and certain migrant groups in particular.

“It is the duty of the nation’s leaders to ensure that public discussion around immigration and multiculturalism is conducted in a respectful manner and that Australia remains a shining example of a successful multicultural society.”

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@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today welcomed the Law Council of Australia’s Justice Project Final Report and called on the Government to implement its recommendations.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said: “This is a national, comprehensive review of the state of access to justice in Australia for people experiencing disadvantage.

“FECCA, as the peak body representing people of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, believes this report should form an essential platform for Government action.

“The report includes accounts from Australians of all backgrounds describing the devastating consequences of not being able to access justice or of poor outcomes.

“It addresses justice issues across a whole range of government services, including immigration, aged care, disability, welfare, families and housing.”

Ms Patetsos said that the Justice Project’s recommendations for resourcing the judicial system, implementation of a National Justice Interpreter Scheme and the need for culturally responsive and accessible services for people including those of CALD background, should be made high priority for Government action.

“We congratulate the Law Council for this comprehensive report,” Ms Patetsos.

The full final report is available, broken into 22 individual chapters as well as a two-page summary, including key recommendations.

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

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today applauded Australia’s reaffirmation of its long-standing bipartisan commitment to a non-discriminatory immigration policy.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said: “We are pleased that the Senate has so emphatically rejected the deeply offensive and divisive statements made by a new Senator in the Parliament last night.

“Both sides of politics—and crossbenchers—today rejected the Queensland Senator’s racist views, which called for a ‘final solution’ on immigration and a return to the White Australia policy of the 1950s.

“FECCA congratulates both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for their leadership today on the issue. And we thank all the crossbench Parliamentarians who supported them.

“Our long-standing bi-partisan policy of non-discrimination on immigration has been the key to delivering to Australia its successful multicultural society,” 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@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today backed a call by the Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane, for the Australian Parliament to reaffirm its commitment to a non-discriminatory immigration policy.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said: “We support the Race Commissioner’s call for immediate action by the Parliament, given the offensive and divisive statements made by a new Senator in the Parliament last night.

“In calling for a ‘final solution’ on immigration and a return to the White Australia policy of the 1950s, the Queensland Senator expressed racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic views which should be rejected by all Australians.

“FECCA is calling on the Parliament to emphatically reject such views.”

Ms Patetsos said that on 25 August 1988, the Australian Parliament resolved:

“For decades, Australia has maintained a bi-partisan policy of non-discrimination on immigration. Successive governments have committed to this principle, which has delivered to Australia its successful multicultural society.

“This principle should be re-affirmed and all racist views explicitly rejected by the Parliament,” 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@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today condemned sensational reporting and commentary around so-called ‘African gang crime’ in Victoria.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said that media and politicians had a responsibility to deal with all community issues, including youth violence in Victoria, in a responsible manner.

“Our elected leaders, media and civil society should make responsible and accurate statements, avoiding any temptation to sensationalise in ways that fuel racist dialogue around issues such as immigration, population and multiculturalism,” Ms Patetsos said.

“FECCA acknowledge challenges which all nations face; especially amongst disengaged youth.

“We should never shirk responsibility where there is a problem – we must deal with it. We must also be responsible and not seek to gain political mileage by layering it further with racist innuendo.

“FECCA supports programs that enable Australians of Sudanese background to settle successfully, noting the efforts of African community representatives who are working closely with Victoria Police.

“We must allow our law enforcement agencies and community leaders to work as they have long done best, and that is without political context to their work.

“Generations of migrants have delivered economic and social benefits, nation-building and diversity to Australia. Their rights to equality and non-discriminatory treatment have been respected by our leaders, regardless of politics,” 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.

FECCA has a New and Emerging Communities Committee which advises FECCA on issues and policies affecting Australia’s new and emerging communities. This committee includes representatives from Australia’s African communities.

Contact: 0403 044 216 / emma@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today welcomed a Government decision to extend the ‘opt out’ period for the My Health Record system to 15 November 2018.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said: “This extension of the opt out period allows the Government time to legislate so that health records cannot be released without a court order and so that people who opt out will have their health data permanently deleted.

“The one-month extension of the opt out period also gives everybody more time to make an informed choice about the My Health Record system.”

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA has partnered with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) to provide information for members and stakeholders about the My Health Record Expansion Program.

The partnership aims to provide information about My Health Record and its benefits for all Australians, and to advise those who choose not to have one how to opt out.

By the end of 2018, the Agency will have a digitised My Health Record for all Australians, except for those who opt out.

Doctors, pharmacists and authorised healthcare providers will be able to access a person’s My Health Record to assist in their treatment of patients and issues such as prescription of medicines and advance care planning.

FECCA will communicate the benefits of My Health Record through its member organisations. These benefits include reduced hospital admissions, reduced duplication of tests, better-coordinated care, and better informed treatment decisions.

“The My Health Record has many benefits for CALD consumers, particularly those who are older or who have lower levels of English proficiency. The My Health Record will support communication between CALD consumers and their health provider, leading to better outcomes.

“It is also important that CALD consumers are comfortable engaging with the tool – and know how to opt out if they wish,” Ms Patetsos said.

For further information on My Health Record go to www.myhealthrecord.gov.au.

For further information on My Health Record in other languages go to https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/howtos/information-in-your-language.

To opt out of the My Health Record go to https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/opt-out-my-health-record.

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@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia has paid tribute to the outgoing Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said that Dr Soutphommasane had been an outstanding advocate of Multicultural Australia and a fierce defender of human rights for all Australians in his role, which seeks to maintain and enhance the harmony and success of Australia’s society.

“FECCA endorses Tim’s warnings about the emergence of ‘race politics’,” Ms Patetsos said today.

“It is the responsibility of all who lead public debate in Australia to ensure that issues around immigration and population and other matters relating to Multicultural Australia are discussed in a climate of respect.

“For decades, Australia has been a country where the economic and social benefits, nation-building and diversity delivered by generations of migrants is celebrated—and where their rights to equality and non-discriminatory treatment are respected by our leaders, regardless of politics.

“We urge all Australians to stand by these principles,” 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@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has welcomed a Government decision to strengthen the security of personal medical records in the My Health Record system.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said: “We are pleased that the Minister will legislate that no health records can be released to anybody without a court order.

“And people who choose to opt out and cancel their My Health Record have now been assured that their health data will also be permanently deleted.

“FECCA congratulates the Minister for Health for listening to the real concerns of all Australians, including those of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA has partnered with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) to provide information for members and stakeholders about the My Health Record Expansion Program.

The partnership aims to provide information about My Health Record and its benefits for all Australians, and to advise those who choose not to have one how to opt out. By the end of 2018, the Agency will have a digitised My Health Record for all Australians, except for those who opt out.

Doctors, pharmacists and authorised healthcare providers will be able to access a person’s My Health Record to assist in their treatment of patients and issues such as prescription of medicines and advance care planning.

FECCA will communicate the benefits of My Health Record through its member organisations. These benefits include reduced hospital admissions, reduced duplication of tests, better-coordinated care, and better informed treatment decisions.

“FECCA is pleased to work with the ADHA to ensure that culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians are empowered to make an informed decision about the My Health Record,” Ms Patetsos said.

“The My Health Record has many benefits for CALD consumers, particularly those who are older or who have lower levels of English proficiency. The My Health Record will support communication between CALD consumers and their health provider, leading to better outcomes.

“It is also important that CALD consumers are comfortable engaging with the tool – and know how to opt out if they wish,” Ms Patetsos said.

People who choose not to have a My Health Record will be able to register not to have one during a three-month opt-out period occurring between 16 July and 15 October.

The Government has indicated that it may extend the opt-out period for a further month.

For further information on My Health Record go to www.myhealthrecord.gov.au.

For further information on My Health Record in other languages go to https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/howtos/information-in-your-language.

To opt-out of the My Health Record go to https://www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/for-you-your-family/opt-out-my-health-record.

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@mediafb85f8131c.wpcomstaging.com