The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) and its members welcomes the Federal Government plan on social cohesion and combatting violence against women and children. Undoubtedly, the Federal Budget 2020 budget is about economic recovery by supporting economic demand and ensuring that the recovery remains on pathway. RCAA is pleased to see that the government has recognised the importance of Australia’s social cohesion and the impact of violence against women and children. RCAA believes that as all Australians move into the future, we need to focus on building social inclusion and a sense of common vision in attaining united and harmonious society that is active, vibrant, and connected to itself. In a joint media release, Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs said “the 2020-21 Budget has allocated $62.8 million to support Australia’s social cohesion and ensure the values and institutions that unite us as Australians remain strong”. RCAA echoes the same message and believes that social cohesion cannot be realised without strengthening institutions that promote a sense of togetherness and equally Australians. We believe that social cohesion is a glue that makes us strongly unique and allows us to focus on what unites us. The power of our vibrant multicultural Australia is personified in strengthening our social inclusion that bonds all Australians together within their diversities” said Elijah Buol OAM, Executive Director. RCAA thanks the Morrison’s government for the announcement of 10 new additional positions for Ethnic Liaison Officers who speak other languages rather than English to support the refugee communities and strengthen social cohesion. This was announced by Hon Alan Tudge MP at the Federal Post Budget 2020 Briefing for multicultural community leaders. RCAA always maintains and advocates for a healthy community where women and children are free from any form of violence. We are pleased to see that combatting violence against women and children is a top priority of the Government in this budget. It is always the dream and wish of refugee communities and their members to live in an environment free from violence. RCAA Deputy Chairperson, Nasiba Akram said, “as a woman, I applauded the government for making combating violence against women and children a top priority because a better society with a healthier future is a society where women and children are free from violence”. RCAA is also concerned about the reduction of quota in Australia’s Humanitarian Program to 13,750 places. There are many refugees in camps from all parts of the world who need protection and resettlement but reducing the quota in Australia’s Humanitarian program limited the protection. Australia has always and continues to extend its humanitarian support to those who are prosecuted and need our protection and this well-known Australians generosity should be extended by increasing the quota in the Australia’s Humanitarian Program rather reducing it”, Mr Juma Piri Piri, RCAA Chairperson. RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states and territory as a unified peak national body that advocates for people of refugee background with lived experience in Australia. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]  

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) congratulates Bwe Thay for assuming the position of Deputy Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. RCAA would like to thank the Victoria Government for the appointment of Mr Thay who have extensive expertise and in-depth knowledge and issues challenging the multicultural communities, particularly in the space of new and emerging communities and recently arrived refugees and migrants. RCAA Chairperson Juma Piri Piri said, “I am immensely proud for the choice made by the Victoria Government to appoint Mr Thay as deputy chair who is RCCA founding member and advisor. Mr Thay’s contribution to refugee communities through RCAA, particularly in RCAA COVID-19 Relief Taskforce has made significant contribution to refugees, Asylum Seekers and international students affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Thay a refugee who arrived in Australia in 2009 has been serving as a VMC Commissioner since September last year and has been a member of the VMC Eastern Metropolitan Regional Advisory Council since 2017. Mr Thay Said, “he is very proud as former refugee for the opportunity to be appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of Victoria Multicultural Commission and this shows the greatness and uniqueness of our multicultural Australia”. Victoria’s Premier, Hon Daniel Andrews MP said that “Mr Thay will support Chair Vivienne Nguyen in steering the Commission and working to identify and address issues faced by Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities”. Elijah Buol OAM said, “building an inclusive and a harmonious Australia where everyone belongs requires us to empower and give opportunities to members of refugee and migrants community in the decision-making positions”. I am pleased to acknowledge that VMC is always led by former refugees and wholeheartedly thank the Victoria government for setting an example to other States and Territories” he said. Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Hon Ros Spence MP, “I’m pleased to be welcoming Bwe as the deputy chair of the Commission, where I know he will continue to be a strong advocate for people from diverse backgrounds”. VMC Chair Vivienne Nguyen, “I look forward to working with Bwe to deliver a range of initiatives that achieve positive outcomes for culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse Victorians – and to foster harmony and understanding between communities.” RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states and territory as a unified peak national body that advocates for people of refugee background with lived experience in Australia. RCAA looks forward to continuing to work with Victoria Multicultural Commission and Mr Thay in his new role. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) welcomes the Federal Government changes to increase access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge MP announced changes including the removal of the 5-year limit in which eligible adult migrants and refugee can access the scheme. Over the years, our communities and members indicated to us that learning English increases their opportunities and build their level of confidence to participate and involve in greatness that Australia offers. Mr Piri Piri, chairperson of RCAA said “learning English languages is not an only factor of successful settlement for refugees and migrants but an important aspect of a successful settlement of refugees and migrants to participate and we applauded these flexible changes”. RCAA is looking forward to work with the Federal government on the details of the proposed measures”, he said. Also, RCAA and its members are pleased that the government has acknowledged a long overdue call. We believe refugee and migrant communities contribute enormously to Australia society in many ways. Hakeem al-Araibi, Australian Footballer and RCAA Patron said, “learning English is a pathway to a successful journey of healing and meaningful integration for refugees and migrants’ communities into a diverse and vibrant multicultural Australia”. Parsu Sharma Luital JP, Former Refugee and RCAA General Secretary said, “Flexible learning of English has allowed members of newly resettled Bhutanese communities to be productive members of Australia’s family and grateful that the government has finally realised the significant of flexible English language learning”. RCAA cautiously welcomes the Government announced changes to the citizenship test Australian which will include new questions on Australian values, and the Australian Values Statement. RCAA believe that our unique values of respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, and a spirit of fairness that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and concern for each other is the anchor and glue that make us and Australia great and successful immigration story in the world. Elijah Buol OAM, RCAA Executive Director said, “Citizenship is our identity and pride that bonds us together and advances Australia-fair which we need to reflect in our deeds and actions all the time and the government needs to ensure that these changes shouldn’t become a barrier for people to get citizenship”. “They are wide-reaching ingredients which makes us great and uniquely Australians” he said. RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states and territory as a unified peak national body that advocates for people of refugee background with lived experience in Australia. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]