eBulletin | April

April 2025 — Issue #53

Elections offer opportunities for multicultural communities to have their say. In our democracy, voting is compulsory, so we have avoided some of the pitfalls we see overseas where voting is optional and migrant voices are marginalised.

Yet, many in our migrant and refugee communities continue to face barriers, such as language limitations,

digital exclusion, and restricted access to clear political information, which makes meaningful participation difficult. Addressing these barriers is essential to a genuinely inclusive democracy.

I am pleased to share that in the lead-up to the federal election, ECCV will be hosting a special online forum to unpack the key policies shaping Australia’s multicultural future.

Moderated by the respected broadcaster Jon Faine, this important online conversation will take place at 1 pm on Tuesday, 29 April. I encourage you to join us as we centre multicultural perspectives and offer a fact-based discussion on the issues that matter most to our communities.

Our expert panel at the forum will include Deakin University Professor Fethi Mansouri, Grattan Institute economist Brendan Coates, and ECCV CEO Farah Farouque.

As we move into the holiday season, I extend my wishes for a safe and peaceful holiday period and a happy Easter for all those who celebrate! We would also like to wish Chag Pesach Sameach to our Jewish community who are observing Passover this month.

Abiola Akinbiyi

Chairperson

We invite you to join our online forum, Multicultural Matters, on 29 April where a panel of experts will discuss key issues at the upcoming federal election, including housing, cost of living, migration, racism and more. Panelists for this special online event, to be hosted by the influential broadcaster Jon Faine AM, include Alfred Deakin Institute Director Professor Fethi Mansouri, Grattan Institute Program Director Brendan Coates and ECCV CEO Farah Farouque. Register here.

George Lekakis AO, current Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Review and former ECCV Chairperson, was among a delegation that paid a visit to our offices this month to consult with our team on the state's multicultural policies and settings. ECCV CEO Farah Farouque, Chair Abiola Akinbiyi, Deputy Chair Jill and Senior Policy Advisor James Houghton took part in this in-depth discussion. ECCV plans to make a written submission to the Review.

During this year's Ramadan, ECCV CEO Farah Farouque was delighted to appear as a guest speaker for the annual Iftar dinner hosted by our member organisation, Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI). The event was hosted in Docklands by AACCI Victoria Chair Naim Melhem OAM, and was attended by over 200 guests. Ms Farouque spoke alongside VMC Deputy Chairperson Bwe Thay and Sheikh Wissam Saad.

ECCV would like to pay tribute to longtime Liberal MP Petro Georgiou who recently died at the age of 77. A champion of multiculturalism, he spoke up for the rights of migrants and refugees, and directly challenged then Prime Minister John Howard's hardline policies. Born in Greece, Mr Georgiou migrated to Australia with his family in 1951. In the words of Dr Hass Dellal AO, Petro "never sought to close the door behind him for those coming in hoping for a better life.”

ECCV is hosting a free information session for people with health conditions from migrant and refugee backgrounds and their carers in Shepparton next Wednesday, 23 April. The session is a great opportunity to share experiences, gain useful information and make meaningful connections.

Intereach will also be there to provide information on the NDIS and how to seek support. To register, contact Project Officer Suzan Saka at 0466041265 or ssaka@eccv.org.au.

ECCV will hold a new round of bicultural educator training next month as part of our work raising awareness of elder abuse within migrant and refugee communities. The 2-day training program, taking place on 13 and 20 May, will equip bicultural educators with the tools to deliver workshops for their own communities on how to respond to, address and prevent elder abuse. To find out more and book your spot, please contact hdoughan@eccv.org.au or 0478 217 956.