Submission regarding Measuring What Matters
FECCA promotes the need for a more inclusive framework for measuring Australia’s progress, with a focus on capturing the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. FECCA advocates for improved data collection on cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity to address the current deficit in national statistics, which limits the development of informed and equitable policies. Recommendations include the establishment of a National Working Group to create consistent measures for diversity and adding indicators for social inclusion, racism, and discrimination. It’s important to understand systemic barriers and intersectional disadvantages faced by CALD populations to build a more inclusive society.
The submission also highlights gaps in representation, health outcomes, and employment opportunities for CALD communities. FECCA calls for the inclusion of cultural diversity indicators in health, labour market, and civic participation metrics, as well as the adoption of the Migrant Integration Policy Index to benchmark progress. By addressing these gaps, FECCA argues, Australia can better harness the potential of its multicultural population, ensure equity in policy development, and foster a society where all individuals feel included, valued, and empowered to contribute. These measures are presented as essential steps towards achieving meaningful social cohesion and addressing systemic inequities.
