FECCA has welcomed the announcement by the Labor Party that it will create a new caucus committee on multicultural affairs to help shape the party’s policies that affect culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians.
FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos said the announcement was a good step forward.
“There is no doubt that CALD communities are under-represented in the Federal Parliament, and in all parliaments across Australia, particularly when you consider that almost one in three Australians were born overseas,” she said.
“So we welcome Labor’s announcement that it will create a committee within its caucus to focus on multicultural affairs and issues that affect CALD Australians.
“This follows the announcement by the Queensland Government that it will host a ministerial forum on multicultural affairs next year and invite all relevant ministers from across Australia to attend.
“There are a range of issues affecting CALD Australians that require attention at a national level, including accessibility for CALD Australians to health and aged care services, settlement of migrants and strategies to combat racism.
“A commitment like this is a positive step in the right direction towards greater political representation and engagement with Australians from Multicultural backgrounds.
“What we also need to see from all major parties is more of a commitment to putting forward candidates from diverse backgrounds at state and federal elections, so that our parliament better reflects the broad diversity of Australian society.”
