Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health, Inc.

05/05/2026

Sustained Investment in Multicultural Communities Must Be a Priority Ahead of the Victorian State Election, November 2026

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria’s leadership is correct to emphasise that while the 2026–27 State Budget introduces several positive measures, multicultural communities require far more than short‑term relief. As Victoria moves toward a state election, it is essential that all political parties recognise what ECCV has consistently underscored: multicultural communities are not peripheral to policy development; they are foundational to Victoria’s identity, prosperity, and long‑term social cohesion.

ECCV, CEO, Farah Farouque’s call for deeper, sustained investment reflects the lived realities of migrant and refugee communities across the state. Multicultural organisations shoulder a disproportionate share of responsibility in supporting Victorians through cost‑of‑living pressures, discrimination, language barriers, and unequal access to essential services. These organisations are the infrastructure of community wellbeing, yet they continue to operate under persistent under-resourcing. As Farouque notes, the Budget’s practical initiatives are welcome, but they must be complemented by long‑term, structural investment that aligns with the scale and complexity of community needs.

Her acknowledgement of guaranteed funding for multicultural seniors’ clubs is particularly significant. These clubs are not simply recreational spaces; they are vital community anchors that reduce isolation, preserve cultural identity, and uphold the dignity of older Victorians. ECCV’s longstanding advocacy has demonstrated that ethnic seniors’ clubs require stable, ongoing funding rather than intermittent or short‑cycle support.

Chairperson, ECCV Board, Silvia Renda’s message reinforces the urgency of this moment. As she highlights, with a state election approaching, multicultural communities must be central to the commitments of all political parties. The Budget’s targeted initiatives, including anti‑racism programs, refugee hardship support, and expanded English as an Additional Language services, represent meaningful progress. However, without sustained investment in the organisations that deliver frontline support every day, these gains risk being temporary rather than transformative.

ECCV’s position is clear and unwavering:

Victoria’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and safeguarding that strength requires consistent, strategic, and long‑term investment. With more than 300 cultural backgrounds, over 290 languages, and nearly 200 faiths represented across the state, multicultural communities are integral to Victoria’s social, economic, and civic life.

As the state prepares for an election, ECCV’s message to all political parties is both timely and compelling:

> Invest in multicultural organisations and regional ethnic
communities to strengthen advocacy and community voice.

> Continue strengthening anti‑racism initiatives.

> Expand language and interpreting services across essential
sectors.

> Support preventative, community‑led youth justice approaches

that build opportunity and reduce harm.

In a challenging fiscal environment, the next Victorian Government has a responsibility to ensure that multicultural communities are not left behind. Sustained investment is not merely a budgetary decision; it is a commitment to fairness, inclusion, and the wellbeing of all Victorians for our common good.

https://eccv.org.au/pre-budget-submission-2026-27/

Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Australian Multicultural Media Centre
Sudanese Mothers Coalition in Victoria
Anthony Albanese
Renda
Farouque
Viv Nguyen - Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson

Highlights

17/04/2026

Protect Yourself. Protect Your Family. Protect Victoria

Flu season is approaching in Australia (April–October).
Protect yourself and your loved ones with reliable, evidence‑based information.

Influenza spreads easily through coughs, sneezes, and contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can include fever, body aches, sore throat, and fatigue, and while many people recover, severe illness can occur.

Annual flu vaccination is the best protection.
All vaccines used in Australia are approved and monitored by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and comply with national standards outlined in the Australian Immunisation Handbook and the National Immunisation Program.

Vaccines available for 2026 include:

• Inactivated injectable vaccines (egg‑based and cell‑based)
• FluMist® intranasal vaccine for children

Most side effects are mild and short‑lasting.

CMRH encourages all Victorians, especially multicultural communities, to stay informed, stay protected, and prioritise preventive health this flu season.

Take the step. Protect your health. Protect your community.

17/04/2026

Medicare Mental Health Check‑In

Feeling stressed, worried, or overwhelmed? You’re not alone, and support is now easier to access.

The Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has launched the Medicare Mental Health Check‑In, a free digital support service designed to help you take the first step toward better wellbeing. No referral, no diagnosis, and no long waiting times.

This service offers free digital programs you can use anytime, anywhere, with guidance from a qualified mental health practitioner. It’s a safe, evidence‑based way to manage early mental health concerns and build practical coping skills.

Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, and this program begins with a simple phone call.

Take a step toward better wellbeing today:

👉 https://www.medicarementalhealthcheckin.gov.au/

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Victorian Government News
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Australian Multicultural Media Centre
Victorian Department of Health


Mabor Majur

16/04/2026

Official Statement

Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health (CMRH)

The Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health (CMRH) acknowledges and commends the Australian Government for its continued humanitarian leadership and global engagement, as reflected in the recent announcement of $67 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan.

This commitment, articulated by the Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP on the third anniversary of the Sudan conflict, represents a timely and principled response to one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time. With over 11 million people displaced and communities facing severe disruption to livelihoods, health systems, and social structures, such support is both critical and lifesaving.

As an organisation working across Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan, CMRH is actively engaged in supporting migrants, refugees, and displaced populations through community health, psychosocial support, and systems-strengthening initiatives. We witness firsthand the complex and intersecting challenges faced by affected populations, including barriers to healthcare access, trauma, and prolonged displacement.

Australia’s investment underscores the importance of sustained international cooperation in addressing humanitarian emergencies. It contributes not only to immediate relief but also to longer-term resilience, recovery, and the protection of human dignity.

CMRH particularly recognises Australia’s emphasis on:

> Ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian
access
> Protecting civilians in accordance with
international humanitarian law
> Supporting multilateral efforts toward
ceasefire and conflict resolution

We reaffirm our commitment to partnering with governments, international agencies, and local communities to deliver evidence-based, culturally responsive, and equitable health interventions across affected regions.

The Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan and all communities impacted by conflict, and we welcome continued collaboration with the Australian Government in advancing humanitarian relief and global health equity.

https://www.cmrh.org.au/international-focus/

14/04/2026

The Centre affirms its support for the FECCA Statement on Migration Narratives in Australia.

We share the view that national conversations about migration should be grounded in fairness, respect, and evidence, rather than narratives that risk dividing communities or undermining social cohesion.

As an organisation committed to the wellbeing of migrant and refugee communities, we advocate for migration policies that uphold human dignity, recognise the contributions of diverse communities, and ensure that all people are treated consistently and with respect throughout the migration process.

Our position reflects a broader commitment to equity, inclusion, and the belief that Australia’s strength lies in the diversity of its people and the principles of fairness that guide our institutions.

Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria

Victorian Government News

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC

Mental Health Foundation Australia

Viv Nguyen - Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson

NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service

The Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative

Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)

Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia - FECCA



https://fecca.org.au/updates/australia-is-at-a-crossroads/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARLItlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeQIcNCMqtFgs_tPmMjkTZQFNVB4FUP84B6acnnKQ04t-RX7w781y0K7trg_k_aem_V2XF41f4TpQW2Pdf92IpJQ

Australia is at a Crossroads The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) calls on all Australians, including political leaders from all parties, to unequivocally reject divisive narratives on migration. Migration has shaped modern Australia into a dynamic, innovative and gl...

08/04/2026

Multicultural Strategy 2026: Aligning Policy Frameworks with Community Realities in Victoria, Australia

I was honoured to participate in the Multicultural Strategy 2026 consultation convened by the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) in partnership with the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), Victorian Government, Australia, representing the Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health (CMRH). This consultation brought together a diverse cross-section of multicultural community organisations, service providers, and sector leaders from across Victoria, reflecting the breadth and complexity of the state’s cultural and linguistic diversity.

The consultation was anchored in a critical review of Victoria’s multicultural policy landscape, particularly the Victorian Multicultural Policy Statement, alongside legislative and strategic instruments such as the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. These frameworks collectively articulate the State’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and protection against discrimination, forming the normative foundation for the development of the Multicultural Strategy 2026.

During the session, key thematic priorities were presented by DPC and ECCV, including social cohesion, equitable access to services, economic participation, civic inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery. Participating organisations were then invited to critically examine the extent to which these priorities align with current multicultural outcomes and lived realities within their respective communities.

From a systems perspective, the consultation enabled a structured reflection on both policy effectiveness and implementation fidelity. It acknowledged that the Victorian Government has achieved significant milestones—particularly in strengthening legislative protections, advancing language services policy through departments such as the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and embedding cultural responsiveness within health and social service systems. Notably, efforts aligned with public health equity frameworks led by the Victorian Department of Health have contributed to improved recognition of the needs of migrant and refugee communities.
However, the consultation also surfaced persistent and structural gaps. These include:

> Variability in access to culturally safe and
linguistically appropriate services.
> Ongoing inequities in health outcomes,
employment opportunities, and service
navigation.
> Limited community-led co-design and
decision-making authority.
> Fragmentation in the implementation of
multicultural policies across sectors.

Participants emphasised that while policy intent in Victoria is robust, the critical challenge lies in translation into consistent, measurable, and community-informed outcomes.

In contributing to this dialogue, I highlighted the importance of adopting a whole-of-system multicultural outcomes framework—one that integrates health equity, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive practice. For organisations such as CMRH, this requires aligning multicultural strategy with the following:

• Language services policy and access
frameworks;
• Cultural safety and competency standards;
• Community engagement and co-design
mechanisms;
• Cross-sector collaboration addressing
housing, employment, and health.

Ultimately, the consultation underscored that the next phase of the Multicultural Strategy 2026 must move beyond policy affirmation toward implementation accountability, data-informed evaluation, and genuine partnership with multicultural communities. This will be essential to ensuring that Victoria’s multicultural model not only reflects diversity in principle but also delivers equity and inclusion in practice.

I remain enchanted and appreciative of ECCV's invitation to a joint consultation with both ECCV and DPC.

Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC

Australian Multicultural Media Centre

Victorian Government News
Viv Nguyen - Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson

The Wire - Independent Current Affairs on radio around Australia

of Premier and Cabinet

Sudanese Mothers Coalition in Victoria

Mental Health Foundation Australia
Mental Health Australia

Following
Highlights

05/04/2026

Reflection

As Executive Director and CEO of the Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health, I had the privilege of participating in the Second Refugee Communities Association of Australia National Conference 2026, held at the Adelaide Festival Centre on 25–26 March 2026.

On 26 March, I had the honour of moderating a critical session alongside esteemed colleagues, where we interrogated a central question: What evidence exists to demonstrate that diversity policy design is genuinely implemented within organisations to achieve meaningful inclusion?

The discussion revealed a persistent and concerning gap, while diversity and inclusion frameworks are increasingly well-articulated at policy level, their translation into practice remains inconsistent across many institutions. This disconnect underscores the urgent need for accountability mechanisms, measurable outcomes, and leadership commitment to move beyond rhetoric toward tangible, systemic change.

The conference, convened by the Refugee Communities Association of Australia, was a landmark national platform that brought together over 250 delegates from more than 50 organisations. It created a powerful space for lived experience to inform policy dialogue, reinforcing the principle that those most affected by systems must be central to shaping them.
Distinguished voices, including Behrouz Boochani, Gillian Triggs, and Nyadol Nyuon—offered profound insights into human rights, displacement, and the structural barriers facing refugee communities. Their contributions, alongside many sector leaders, strengthened the intellectual and moral imperative for reform.

Under the theme “Empowering Refugees and Multicultural Communities Together,” the conference advanced a forward-looking agenda—one that moves beyond settlement toward leadership, participation, and co-design in policy and service delivery. It emphasised the importance of building self-reliant, community-led frameworks grounded in evidence, cultural competence, and equity.

Importantly, the conference highlighted the growing influence of refugee-led organisations in Australia. The Refugee Communities Association of Australia continues to set a national benchmark as a grassroots, membership-based body that amplifies lived experience and drives systemic advocacy.

As we reflect on this convening, the message is clear: inclusion must be operationalised, not merely articulated. Policies must be evaluated by their impact, not their intent. And leadership across all sectors must be prepared to embed equity into organisational culture, governance, and practice.

I extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) for scholarship and support to attend a second RCAA Conference 2026 and the organisers, partners, and all participants whose contributions made this conference both impactful and transformative.

The momentum generated here must now translate into sustained action, informed policy, and measurable outcomes for migrant and refugee communities across Australia.

Communities Association of Victoria

Australian Multicultural Media Centre,

Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria Victorian Government News

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC

Viv Nguyen - Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson

Mental Health Foundation Australia

Highlights
Following

Mabor Majur

05/04/2026

On 25 March 2026, we attended a Gala Dinner hosted by the Refugee Council of Australia at the InterContinental Hotel.

The evening was elegant and vibrant, featuring distinguished entertainment, award presentations, and keynote speeches delivered by a range of esteemed dignitaries.

Mabor Majur

05/04/2026

South Australia..

On 24 March 2026, I had the honour of attending a welcome reception hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, following an invitation from the Refugee Community Association of Australia for the annual conference.

12/03/2026

The recent report released by the Parliament of Victoria on community consultation practices provides an important opportunity to reflect on how governments meaningfully engage with multicultural communities across the state.

For many migrant and refugee communities, participation in government consultations is not always straightforward. Experiences shaped by displacement, past encounters with authority in countries of origin, language barriers, and unfamiliar administrative systems can influence how individuals and communities approach engagement with public institutions. These realities underscore the importance of culturally responsive, accessible consultation processes grounded in genuine partnership.

In this context, I would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank the leadership and team at the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) for their important contribution to this consultation process. As the peak body representing multicultural communities in Victoria, ECCV continues to play a critical role in ensuring that the lived experiences and perspectives of migrant and refugee communities are reflected in government policy discussions and public decision-making.

In particular, I commend the leadership of CEO Farah Farouque, together with Principal Policy Advisor James Houghton and Ageing Well Lead Hayat Doughan, for presenting oral evidence to the parliamentary inquiry and for articulating the challenges that many communities face when engaging with government processes.

As Farah Farouque noted during the inquiry:

“Many of our multicultural communities come from countries where engaging with authorities can be a frightening or hostile experience.”

This important insight highlights why culturally responsive engagement is essential for building trust between government institutions and multicultural communities. The contributions of ECCV and its policy team have helped bring these realities to the forefront of the discussion and strengthen the case for improving Victoria’s public engagement framework.

As Victoria continues to grow as one of the most culturally diverse states in Australia, collaboration between government, community organisations, and multicultural leaders will remain essential to ensuring that consultation processes are inclusive, meaningful, and reflective of the communities they aim to serve.

I extend my sincere appreciation to ECCV and its dedicated team for their continued advocacy and leadership in advancing inclusive engagement across Victoria’s diverse communities.

For those interested in reviewing the report, it can be accessed here: [https://lnkd.in/dxzgcaEB](https://lnkd.in/dxzgcaEB)

Australian Multicultural Media Centre

Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC

Victorian Government News

Following
Highlights

01/02/2026

Acknowledgment Statement

The Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health is pleased to acknowledge that our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Mabor Chadhuol, proudly attended the Flag Raising Day Ceremony on 26 January 2026 at Government House.

This significant civic occasion was held in the esteemed presence of Her Excellency Professor Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria.

Our participation reflects the Centre’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion, strengthening community connections, and honouring the rich diversity that shapes our nation. We extend our gratitude to Government House for hosting this important event and for recognising the contributions of multicultural communities across Victoria.