Media Releases

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today called on the Federal Government to rule out a merger of SBS and ABC.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos said that FECCA was strongly supportive of SBS as a separate broadcaster.

“The essence of our diverse Multicultural Australia can be enjoyed every day on SBS television, radio and online broadcasting,” Ms Patetsos said.

“Our political leaders should ensure the continuation of SBS as a public broadcaster in its own right.

“SBS reflects the diversity and enrichment of Australia from decades of immigration.

“We call on all Australians who are committed to the future of a vibrant and vigorous SBS to join us in our support of the broadcaster.”

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 urged the Federal Government’s Royal Commission into the Aged Care Sector to develop an understanding of the experiences of Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background in the aged care system.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said that FECCA had met with and written to the Minister for Aged Care, Mr Ken Wyatt, to express its views on the Terms of Reference for the Commission.

Ms Patetsos said: “More than one in every three older Australians is born overseas. People of CALD background need help to access and understand the services they need because they face particular issues as they age,” Ms Patetsos said.

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA believed the Terms of Reference should include investigation of:

• The future challenges and opportunities for delivering aged care services in the context of changing demographics, including in remote, rural and regional Australia and the increasing numbers of older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Provision of culturally appropriate care and impact of failures in that provision on outcomes for CALD Australians
• End of life care and experiences particularly with regards to spiritual and cultural needs
• Dementia and intersectionality (experience of CALD Australians living with dementia)
• Training and support for CALD workers
• Bullying and racism in the aged care workplace
• Staffing ratios and its impact on quality service provision
• Governance and financial management of aged care facilities
• Complaints and feedback mechanisms
• Provision of home care
• The failure of the aged care system to meet the needs of financially vulnerable Australians including the homeless
• The operation of the aged care system and financial abuse of older Australians.

“We are fully supportive of this Royal Commission and look forward to its powers to deliver greater justice and equity to all of our older Australians, whatever their country of origin,” 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) said today that the Federal Opposition’s commitment to help women secure a better financial future was encouraging, with its plan for a Labor Government to invest $400 million to strengthen the superannuation system.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, said that women of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background were particularly vulnerable and faced economic insecurity.

“Many of these women work in part-time, casual or multiple low-paid jobs and may fall below the $450 minimum monthly income threshold for the superannuation guarantee,” Ms Patetsos said.

“The promised reforms will give CALD women better access to the superannuation system.

“FECCA applauds any policy which gives meaningful recognition to the role that working people of CALD background play in contributing to Australian society.”

She said that FECCA also welcomed the plan to apply the superannuation guarantee to workers on parental leave.

“We believe that all women who join the workforce, including new arrivals, should have access to measures which will provide them with a more secure economic future,” 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) said that Australian Citizenship Day, celebrated today, was an opportunity for the nation to applaud the achievements of our multicultural society.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos, congratulated the 1700 people who had today become Australian citizens at 60 ceremonies across the nation.

“The granting of Australian citizenship is symbolic of acceptance into the Australian community,” Ms Patetsos said. “Australian citizenship is cherished by everyone in Australia’s migrant communities.”

Ms Patetsos said that for decades, political leaders from both sides had committed to Australia’s multicultural society, which has delivered huge social and economic benefits to the nation.

“Fair, transparent and timely access to Australian citizenship is essential to the social cohesion and harmony of Australian society.

“Australian residents want nothing more than to be full participants in our society.

“We urge all of our political leaders to ensure the continuation of a system where citizenship is not denied to our new arrivals because of arbitrary and unfair procedures or by extended waiting periods,” 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 sues 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 welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government of a Royal Commission into aged care in Australia.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said that as the peak body representing older Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, FECCA looked forward to assisting the inquiry as much as possible.

“More than one in every three older Australians was born overseas,” Ms Patetsos said.

“People of CALD background face particular issues as they age and require help to access and understand the services they need.

“All older Australians, regardless of their background, deserve our respect and care. They have the right to make decisions for themselves, to live full and active lives and to be assured when they are vulnerable that they will be safe.

“For some time, FECCA has been working with the Government to emphasise the needs of people from CALD background and to recommend improvements.

“We welcome the rigour which a Royal Commission will bring to an examination of this industry and will assist wherever we can,” Ms Patetsos said.

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA also welcomed the support given to the proposed Royal Commission today by the Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten.

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@fecca.org.au

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) today welcomed a series of initiatives by the Federal Government aimed at improving the care of older people in Australia and protecting their rights.

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos, said that FECCA had worked closely with the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Mr Ken Wyatt, to share with him of the needs of older Australians, particularly those of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.

“We congratulate the Government and Minister Wyatt for the passing of the Single Aged Care Quality Framework and we are pleased that it recognises the role of culturally appropriate practice in the provision of aged care,” Ms Patetsos said.

“It is important that all older Australians, of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, are treated with respect.”

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA also welcomed the Government’s legislation to set up the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the commitment to provide additional funding.

“And we congratulate the Minister for his strategy to grow Australia’s professional aged care workforce, which sees a need for a million workers by the year 2050. We will continue to work with the Minister’s taskforce to ensure the workforce is able to meet the diverse needs of older people including those in rural, regional and remote areas,” Ms Patetsos said.

“It should also be noted that the aged care workforce is one of the most culturally diverse in Australia and we need to ensure that these workers are protected, supported and appropriately rewarded for their work.”

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 announced the appointment of Mr Mohammad Al-Khafaji as Director of Strategy and Engagement.

Mr Al-Khafaji is former CEO of Welcome Australia, an organisation dedicated to welcoming Australia’s new arrivals.

“FECCA is delighted to welcome Mohammad to its management team,” the Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said today.

“With his experience at Welcome Australia and his personal background as a refugee, Mohammad has the skills to drive FECCA’s engagement with its member communities as well as external stakeholders.”

In taking the new role, Mr Al-Khafaji will step down from his current role as Honorary Secretary of FECCA.

The Hon Secretary position will be filled as a casual vacancy by Mr Kevin Kardirgamar, who is Northern Territory’s Young Australian of the Year and President of the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory.

“We congratulate Kevin on his appointment,” 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 expressed deep concern at the findings of a joint report by the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).

The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said: “As the peak body representing people of culturally and linguistically diverse background, FECCA understands the importance of a humane and just immigration policy.

“FECCA is alarmed by reports that children with life-threatening illnesses are being prevented from travelling to Australia to receive much needed medical care, despite expert advice from doctors.

“While FECCA accepts the need for a transparent and consistent immigration policy, those policies must be implemented in a way that protects the most vulnerable.

“We feel obliged to speak out when our immigration policies are failing desperately ill children and their families. The discretionary powers available to the Government should be used to ensure critically ill children in offshore detention get access to essential medical treatment in Australia. It is also important that families are kept safe—and together,” Ms Patetsos said.

Ms Patetsos said that the Government should examine the findings of the report and ensure that Australia’s immigration policy is non-discriminatory, fair and transparent and serves Australia’s national interests.

The RCOA-ASRC joint report is available 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