Comments on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) submitted feedback on the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability. FECCA emphasised the need to improve access to and the quality of language services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Recommendations include increasing full-time interpreter positions, improving working conditions and wages for interpreters, and implementing a national language policy to support inclusivity and equitable access to essential services. FECCA also highlighted the critical role of professionalisation and quality assurance in the interpretation and translation sector to address barriers faced by CALD individuals in accessing government and community services.
FECCA further stressed the importance of fostering a culture of respect and recognition for interpreters, ensuring their roles are well-defined and adequately compensated. The organization advocates for robust complaints mechanisms to address issues in service quality, along with transparency and accountability from language service providers. To support long-term inclusivity, FECCA calls for the development of a national language policy that recognises linguistic diversity as a national asset, learning from global examples like Canada and South Africa. This would ensure consistent standards and equitable access to services for Australia’s multicultural population.
