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MEDIA RELEASE July 29, 2008 Mr Sam
Afra, Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) praised
the Rudd Government’s new reforms to “Abandoning the
mandatory detention of individuals who present no danger to the public is not
just common sense, it is a return to common decency,” Mr Afra said. “For too long “Hopefully this decision
by the Federal Government signals a new era of practical empathy where people
in need are treated like human beings rather than statistics.” Mr Afra was particularly
heartened by the news that children will not be detained in an immigration
detention centre. “Many Australians across
all political and class lines have been greatly distressed and shamed by a
policy that puts young children behind razor wire,” Mr Afra said. “It is not in keeping with the Australian
ethos or image, and serves no purpose other than to demean us all as a
society.” Under the new policy, the Department
of Immigration will have to justify why a person should be detained, with the
detainee’s status reviewed every three months. A person who poses no danger to the
community will be able to remain in the community while their visa status is
resolved. Mr Afra also welcomed
the release of a new report indicating that Government
measures to stop people trafficking are having some effect. “We have seen a number
of high profile cases of people trafficking into “Catching the perpetrators
is crucial, but so is delivering support to the victims.” “Many of these victims
are deeply traumatised by their experience and left alone with nothing,” Mr
Afra explained, “and it is not always a practical or desirable option to simply
put them on a plane and return them to their country of origin.” “Socially responsible
and culturally sensitive processes must become standard across all Australian
jurisdictions so victims of people trafficking receive all the support they
need to resume their lives.” MEDIA RELEASE July 18, 2008 ANTI-MIGRANT BIAS TOO COMMON IN THE WORKPLACE Mr Sam Afra, Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) said the release of a new report into racial and religious discrimination in employment confirmed the problem of workplace bias against migrant and multicultural communities was still a long way from being eradicated. The new report, by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), documents the frequency and variety of employment discrimination cases which affect members of migrant and multicultural communities. “The findings in this report make for unhappy reading,” Mr Afra said, “and mirror many of the reports and research outcomes that the Ethnic Communities’ Council has compiled in recent years.” “For a state that prides itself on its multicultural heritage, there are still far too many examples of blatant and latent discrimination experienced by Victorians on the basis of their skin colour, their ethnic or cultural background, or their chosen faith.” “Too often job applicants from migrant and multicultural backgrounds find themselves battling against systemic prejudice which limits their entry into the workforce, as well as opportunities for advancement and further professional development.” “We are still hearing reports of applicants, especially from Middle Eastern countries, feeling compelled to Anglicise their names in order to give themselves a better chance of having their applications even considered.” “We are still hearing of incidents of newly-arrived migrants and refugees trying to establish themselves being shamelessly exploited by unscrupulous employers; behaviour that would never be contemplated against employees from the mainstream population.” The VEOHRC report follows extensive consultations in regional and metropolitan “VEOHRC are to be commended for producing this report,” Mr Afra said, “because it is only by continually bringing these problems to light that lasting answers can be found. The challenge is now on all of us to improve the employment opportunities and outcomes of Victorians, regardless of their circumstances, background or beliefs.” “ECCV would like to see the VEOHRC gain stronger powers to respond to incidents of discrimination and exploitation, as well as the process for complaints made more simple and straightforward, especially for individuals from non-English backgrounds. “We want workplaces that harness our state’s renowned cultural diversity, not tarnish it.” The Victorian Multicultural Commission collaborated on production of the report. Copies are available on the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website : www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au or by contacting (03) 9281 7111. MEDIA RELEASE July 10, 2008 FEW HOMES FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES OF SIX OR MORE Mr Sam Afra, Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV), said today that the escalating housing crisis affecting major Australian centres was hitting particularly hard on low-income families with four or more children. Mr Afra said “newly-arrived families of six or more people – many of whom had arrived in “We know that everyone is doing it tough with increased competition for public and private housing, inflated prices and rising interest rates,” Mr Afra said. “Imagine how stressful it must be for families arriving in the country under the most traumatic of circumstances only to find that putting a roof over their children’s heads is getting further and further out of reach.” A new ECCV Policy Discussion Paper: Availability • Affordability • Accessibility: Housing Victoria’s New Migrant and Refugee Communities documents some of the major housing issues confronting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the current climate. “The Policy Discussion Paper highlights some of the key challenges faced by newly arrived migrants and refugees in accessing accommodation appropriate to their family number and needs,” Mr Afra said. “Obviously the high cost of housing as a proportion of family income is a major concern,” Mr Afra said, “especially when refugees are reliant on government financial support to survive, but refugees also often have to deal with instances of discrimination, intimidation and exploitation due to their exceptional circumstances.” A key recommendation in the Policy Discussion Paper involves the introduction in “In “For example, women entering the country as refugees on the subclass 204 visa can be considered for priority housing under a special ‘refugee women at risk’ category, as long as they can present stamped proof of their 204 visa in their passports.” “Governments have been quick to recognise that housing stress is a real-life phenomenon for many households across the country,” Mr Afra said. “In formulating policy responses, it is vital that the unique needs of those most affected, but least represented, are also taken into consideration.” For a copy of the ECCV Policy Discussion Paper, please contact Jieh-Yung Lo on (03) 9349 4122 MEDIA RELEASE June 20, 2008
KINDERGARTEN SUBSIDY A WELCOME HELP FOR REFUGEE FAMILIES
Mr Sam Afra, Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision today to extend the $730 kindergarten subsidy fee to include children from refugee and asylum seeking families. Speaking on Refugee Day, 20 June, Mr Afra said the announcement “would make a tangible real world difference to a lot of mums and dads doing it especially tough right now.” The extension of the subsidy effectively means the children of families living in “When people think of low income families, it is often forgotten that a large number of refugees and humanitarian entrants fall into that category,” Mr Afra said. “The oversight means that too often refugees often find themselves denied the same support mechanisms available to other Victorians in similar socio-economic difficulties.” “One might argue whether this should be considered a type of discrimination, but it is certainly an inconsistency that has unfairly disadvantaged one segment of the community up until now.” Mr Afra said refugees, asylum seekers, and special humanitarian entrants already battled enough obstacles in seeking to forge a new life without additional barriers thrown in their way. “After a period when many refugees felt under fire in “Of course the real beneficiaries of this subsidy will be the young children themselves, Mr Afra stressed. “We cannot begin to overstate how important a positive nurturing learning environment is to the settlement process for refugee children and the children of refugee parents. That is where the real value of this decision will be measured in years to come.” Mr Afra also took the opportunity to congratulate the 28 individuals who received awards from the Victorian Refugee Recognition Record as part of 2008 Refugee Week. “These are all remarkable individuals who work tireless and often thanklessly for the benefit of refugees in our state, Mr Afra said. Mr Afra gave a special word of congratulations to Dr. Apollo Nsubuga-Kyobe who is currently based in Shepparton. “Apollo has been a vigorous advocate on behalf of refugees in rural and regional
MEDIA RELEASE June 10, 2008 QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS AFFIRM VALUE OF MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Mr Mr Afra said there was an important message in the Honours List “for those who believed that pride in the country’s formative links with the Queen and “One of the defining strengths of the Australian model of a multicultural society is that it is founded on expanding and enhancing the long-standing traditions that have brought us to where we are as a nation,” Mr Afra explained. “It is has always been about maintaining strong cultural linkages between the past and the present so that we can all move forward as one big family, rather than a collection of disengaged groups co-existing in isolation.” Mr Afra paid special tribute to Ms Voula Messimeri-Kianidis, Chairperson of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), who was awarded a Member of the Order of “Voula Messimeri-Kianidis has been a tireless crusader on the part of migrants and refugees over many years,” Mr Afra said. “At both the grassroots and executive level, she has been a powerful voice in the call for more equitable policies for all Australians, whatever their cultural background. Her Queen’s Birthday Honour is thoroughly deserved and an incentive for all community representatives to nurture stronger ties between bodies at the state and federal levels.” Ms Messimeri-Kianidis was one of a number of individuals on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List to be honoured for their work in advancing multicultural causes and the opportunities of ethno-specific and faith communities. Venerable Phuoc Tan Thich, the Director and Abbot of the Mrs Helen Shiela Brustman from Malvern East was also awarded a Medal of the Order of “Whatever your personal view might be on the Constitutional role of the British monarchy here in “Let us hope Her appreciation continues to resonate throughout all corners of Australian government, industry, community and the arts sectors.” MEDIA RELEASE May 22, 2008 CONGRATULATIONS ALL ROUND AS HARMONY DAY WINNER MEETS PREMIER BRUMBY It was congratulations all round as Premier John Brumby met young Miss Hamed was the winner of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria’s (ECCV) 2008 Harmony Day Colouring Competition held during Cultural Diversity Week in March 2008. As part of her first prize, Miss Hamed was given the opportunity to present the Victorian Premier with her winning entry fully framed with commemorative plaque. The excited, but slightly nervous, year six student, originally from Ms Large said Mr Mr Afra said the aim of the Harmony Day colouring competition was “to reaffirm the importance of The original poster, designed by Mr Robson, promotes positive themes for life in a modern multicultural society. Key messages include treating those who differ with dignity, those in need with generosity, and those troubled, injured or impaired with empathy. “We should not forget the ultimate message,” said Mr Afra, “That whatever our differences might be, we should still treat others with affinity because we all have much in common.” As Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Premier Brumby agreed that “As the poster says: we are always evolving, we are all ways Australians,” Premier Brumby said. The Premier gave particular praise to the ECCV and ATT for the work in supporting cultural diversity and disadvantaged groups such as newly arrived refugees from The ECCV sponsored the staging of the competition as part of the Harmony day Festival held in the grounds of the Carlton Housing Estate on 20 March 2008. MEDIA RELEASE May 14, 2008 Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria today welcomed many of the terrific immigration and settlement initiatives in the Rudd Government’s first budget. “The scrapping of the unfair temporary protection scheme is a hugely significant reform and will ensure around 1,000 refugees in “The $50 million investment in migrant language skills training is also greatly appreciated. Workforce participation is a critical issue for many migrants and greater assistance in language training focussed around the workplace is very welcome. “The 500 person increase in “The increase of 6500 places in family reunion places is also a welcome move as this category has stagnated for many years. It is common sense that people settle best when they are with family. “Former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has just called for a 20-30 percent increase in migration, including unskilled migration, to both meet “ECCV welcomes the first Rudd Budget which is a strong and positive step forward for both migrants and MEDIA RELEASE May 6, 2008
BUDGET A WIN FOR REFUGEES BUT OLDER MIGRANTS STILL WAITING FOR THEIR PROMISED ACTION PLAN The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) today welcomed many of the new initiatives for refugees in the 2008-09 Victorian State Budget but called on the Government to honour its promise to develop a CALD Older Person’s Action Plan. “The $19.7 million committed to refugee settlement in the 2008-09 Victorian Budget has the potential to make vast improvements to the lives of some of the “Newly arrived migrants and refugees, especially those from the Horn of Africa, “The ECCV also welcomes the $5 million allocation in funding for the New Workforce Partnerships program. This extends the Workforce Participation Partnerships Program. This innovative and low-cost program has proven particularly beneficial to employers and employees alike in areas with chronic labour shortages. It is important that this funding continues until the Commonwealth reform the Job Network which is often not meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged job seekers. “Employment is critical to the successful settlement of migrants and refugees. Currently, the unemployment rate is as high as around 40 per cent for some humanitarian migrants 18 months after arrival. This is compared to the state average of around 4 per cent. Work must continue in this area. The $2 million set aside in the budget for interpreting services was also appreciated. “There is still much more to be done. ECCV is disappointed that the CALD Older Person Action Plan promised at the last election has still not been delivered one and a half years after the election and there is still no funding or clear policy in this area. CALD older people are among the most disadvantaged Victorians and are far more likely to be on the full pension and struggling financially with rising cost of living pressures and reduced concessions. Other issues such as the lack of available and suitable public and social housing for refugees with large families also requires further action and attention,” said Mr Afra.
MEDIA RELEASE April 29, 2008
CITIZENSHIP TEST REVIEW WELCOMED Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria today welcomed the Federal Government’s review of the revised higher-level Australian citizenship test. “Statistics show that fewer people are sitting the higher-level test and the failure rate is disturbingly high for some refugee communities. We welcome the review and urge the committee and government to ensure the test is non-discriminatory, encourages people to sit the test and is geared towards success rather than failure” said Mr Sam Afra, Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. “The revised Australian citizenship test is effectively a higher-level English test as it is a computerised test which requires higher level reading and comprehension skills. This has meant many refugees with lower lever English language skills have failed the test. The government needs to consider whether teaching rather than testing may be more appropriate for some categories of migrants, particularly our small refugee component. “It is important that people learn English but some people may have difficulties due to their age, educational background or may even be illiterate in their own language due to years in refugee camps. It is not fair to render some refugees stateless by refusing them citizenship because they cannot pass a higher-level test. “ECCV welcome the test review and encourages migrants and communities affected by the test to put in submission to the review by May 30. In MEDIA RELEASE April 22, 2008
MONASH SOCIAL COHESION REPORT The new “69 per cent of Australians agree that accepting immigrants from many different countries makes “These are great indicators that current programs around social cohesion are working. The results showing a significant increase in the level of trust in fellow Australians reaffirms the value of inclusive grassroots cross-cultural education and activities,” Mr Afra said. “But there always remains more to be done.” Mr Sam Afra said that while the report is mostly positive, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria remains concerned at the misrepresentation in the report around the level of volunteering around non-English speaking background Australians. “To claim people from non-English speaking backgrounds volunteer less than Australian born people does not take into account significant variables such as unofficial volunteering in one’s own community, income levels, immediate settlement challenges, and some volunteering organisations not reaching out to ethnic groups,” Mr Afra said. “Researchers need to be mindful of contributing factors to volunteering levels before perpetuating negative and misleading stereotypes,” he said. MEDIA RELEASE March 20, 2008 ECCV PROMOTES GREATER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES “Many organisations in the multicultural community sector were eager to form ongoing working partnerships with departments such as DHS,” Mr Afra said, “to see that their unique knowledge of their particular ethnic community better utilised for the good of all.” Mr Afra was speaking at a special Ministerial Forum convened to discuss multicultural issues across all Government portfolios and paid tribute the grass-roots involvement and leadership of ethno-specific organisations. “By their very nature, community organisations in the multicultural sector embody the very essence of social justice in both spirit and deed,” Mr Afra said. “When there is sufficient scale of demand in that community, why shouldn’t we explore ways of leveraging the unique position and knowledge of these community bodies to improve the standard of social services ?” Mr Afra asked. Mr Afra said the depth of connections and community pride shared by multicultural organisations had been clear to all during Mr Afra added that the ECCV was proud to be joining other local community agencies in The festival, established and organised by and funded by VicHealth, will feature a variety of children games, competitions, painting, music, dancing, drumming, cultural performances, and food flavours from countries such as The ECCV is also sponsoring a children’s colouring competition to promote positive themes of life in a modern multicultural society. “Just as we take pride in the many choices of ethnic, cultural and religious activity on show during Cultural Diversity Week, we should be able to take pride in the variety of social service opportunities available to Victorians,” Mr Afra said.
MEDIA RELEASE February 12, 2008
Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria today joined with thousands of community groups and individuals across “The apology to the stolen generation is of huge symbolic importance and will allow all Australians to begin the process of healing and forgiveness. Saying sorry for past injustices to indigenous Australians helps make right the wrongs of the past”, said Sam Afra, Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. “Multicultural communities recognise the great harm done to members of the stolen generation and our indigenous communities through previous government policy. We also welcome the Prime Minister’s move to end the shameful difference in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. “This new direction should also start the process of making “Some migrant communities came to
MEDIA RELEASE February 5, 2008 MONASH UNIVERSITY STUDY ON MIGRATION NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF WIDER Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria today stressed that people should not read too much into a Monash University Report that has raised some concerns around migration levels and multiculturalism. "As we understand it sections of the media have focussed on the views of residents of one suburb that shows around half the population there has concerns over migration levels, multiculturalism and integration issues. These views are not necessarily representative of the wider Victorian community which supports cultural diversity. Some individual areas may also attract people who prefer to live among people from more established backgrounds,” said Sam Afra, Chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria. MEDIA RELEASE January 2, 2008 Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria today welcomed the Federal Government’s review of the new higher-level citizenship test introduced last year by the Howard Government. “The news that 20 per cent of applicants are failing the test confirms our fears that the test would exclude people who would otherwise make a tremendous contribution to “The way to fix the test is simple. People with low level English language proficiency, and particularly refugees, should be given the opportunity to attend classes rather than sit a test. This can be done through the Ministerial determination powers in the current Act. “An exemption to allow teaching rather than testing for particular applicants would ensure that MEDIA RELEASE November 28, 2007 SAM AFRA NEW CHAIR FOR ECCV Mr Sam Afra of the Ethnic Communities Council of the South East (ECCOSE) was elected as the new Chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria last night. Mr Afra has a long and distinguished career in local government and multicultural organisations in the south east of I look forward to continuing the work of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria in advocating on behalf of the needs of migrant and refugee communities. My experience in working in the Greater Dandenong and Casey region with its large migrant population will hold me in good stead for the task at hand”, said Mr Afra. “My immediate priorities will be addressing racism and discrimination in our community, supporting the strengthening of community harmony and working for better services for our migrant communities”, said Mr Afra. The Annual General Meeting congratulated Phong Nguyen for his outstanding service to Victorian multicultural communities during his term as Chair. The New ECCV Executive is:
MEDIA RELEASE FEDERAL ELECTION MULTICULTURAL FORUM Special guest speakers will include Senator Julian McGauran, Liberal Party of Australia; Mr Laurie Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, ALP; Senator Lyn Allison, Leader of the Australian Democrats and Dr Richard Di Natale, Victorian lead senate candidate for the Australian Greens. “This forum will see representatives from across the political spectrum share their policies for a harmonious and culturally diverse “ECCV will present its policy platform for the federal election and invite each representative to explain how their political party will respond to major challenges for multicultural communities in “In light of the recently publicised experience of Tony Tran, who was unfairly detained for five years in immigration detention, the first challenge for our speakers is how their party, if elected, will put in place systems to ensure these continuing outrages never happen again. “Speakers will also be invited to elaborate on policies, strategies and leadership which would help recently arrived communities in
ECCV CALLS FOR CALM AND RESTRAINT “The current media hysteria around “The great majority of the Australian-African community are decent law abiding people grateful to be building new lives in “Recent VicHealth research shows that only around 5 per cent of Victorians have a problem with cultural diversity. It is time some people in leadership positions in our community stopped undermining Victoria’s long tradition of mutual respect and understanding between people of different backgrounds. Isolated incidents of crime need to be dealt with by the police. “Minister Andrews needs to reconsider his earlier comments around these issues and show some national leadership in defusing this damaging debate,” said Mr Nguyen.
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