Submission on Senate Inquiry into appropriate terms of reference for a COVID-19 Royal Commission
FECCA’s recommendations for the terms of reference for a Royal Commission into the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19. FECCA emphasises the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, including higher mortality rates, inequities in healthcare access, and inadequate communication strategies. The submission highlights systemic issues such as delayed and culturally inappropriate public health messaging, gaps in data collection on CALD populations, and inequitable enforcement of pandemic measures. FECCA underscores the importance of examining these issues to ensure inclusive and equitable public health preparedness in the future.
FECCA proposes a comprehensive review of communication strategies, public health preparedness, and the economic, social, and health impacts of government responses on CALD communities. Advocating for leveraging community-driven approaches, co-designing policy with CALD communities, and improving data systems to better capture diversity. By addressing these areas, the Royal Commission can identify lessons learned and pave the way for more resilient, inclusive, and effective responses to future crises, ensuring the unique needs of Australia’s multicultural population are met.
