Speaking yesterday at the International Metropolis Conference, held in Sydney this week, Professor Castles said, “While 28 per cent of our population comes from overseas, it’s always been that the latest group is to blame for the problems we face on the day.
“In the ’50s it was the Italians and Greeks, in the ’60s it was the Vietnamese who were blamed for crime, the drug trade and so on.”
Professor Castles’ message was timely as yesterday the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, announced that, due to concerns about population expansion, she wanted the state to return to “Howard-era immigration levels”, which would mean halving the state’s migrant intake.
She appointed a three-member panel to develop a NSW population policy to take to the federal government next year.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the current high rates of population growth are putting even more pressure on our infrastructure,” she said.
As reported in The Guardian (October 31, 2018), permanent arrivals in Australia are the same as in the time under Prime Minister John Howard, however net overseas migrant arrivals have been driven by students, tourists and skilled migrants.
On the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, Professor Castles said that, while those groups received a lot of attention, they only constituted a very small part of Australia’s intake; the largest part was from skilled migration, people with permission to come here, work and stay permanently.
“We have to change the perception that economic migration is good and persecuted migration is bad — it is terribly short-sighted. Across the world, there are 30,000 people a day who must leave their homes to seek asylum, and Australia only takes roughly 15,000 people a year.
“Refugees have made a huge contribution to economy and society, and it isn’t fair not to recognise that.
“Australia used to be a leader in human rights, and now we have become a leader in violating human rights.”
The International Metropolis Conference, Sydney is the largest migration and multicultural event in the world. It continues until Friday, November 2.
Tolu Olubunmi: the stories of the seekers of truth, and the curators of change, make the biggest impact.
World-renowned expert on migration research, Professor Ian Goldin from Oxford University, revealed fresh evidence of the impact of migration for growth of economies, fiscal costs and benefits at the International Metropolis Conference.
Professor Goldin’s research, conducted in conjunction with Citi, found that across the globe migrants are:
- 2 to 3 times more likely to start businesses
- 2 to 4 times more likely to start ‘unicorn’ businesses
- 2 to 3 times more likely to win Nobel Prizes
- 2 to 4 times more likely to lodge patents
The report, Migration and the Economy: Economic Realities, Social Impacts and Political Choices, throws light on the growing disconnect between public perceptions of migration and the actual trends.
In many advanced economies, migration has become a toxic issue in election campaigns and political debate, however the authors’ fiscal analysis shows no evidence of the negative perceptions of the impact of migration.
Migrant advocate and entrepreneur, Ms Tolu Olubunmi, said, while the statistics painted the picture, it was the “stories of the seekers of truth, and the curators of change” that made the biggest impact.
“The free movement of people is not a problem to be solved, but rather a human reality to be managed,” she said. “There are 244 million international migrants, 65.3 million of whom have been forced from their homes, and 21 million are refugees.
“Rather than trying to work out what the statistics mean, I focus on the individual lives hidden in the shadows of the numbers. I focus on the fathers and the mothers, the employers and the employees, the displaced and the determined.”
As a child, Ms Olubunmi was brought to the USA from Nigeria. After completing her chemical engineering degree, she discovered she didn’t have the legal status to work in her profession. This crushing blow, inspiring her to take action.
“Being able to live your best life, is sometimes determined by having a certain piece of paper. I had a clear choice, to leave the fate of my life to others who were much more powerful than me, or to be part of the solution and start advocating to change the USA law.”
She was the first, and only, “DREAMer” working full-time advocating for access to legal status and higher education for migrant youth in the USA.
Her intuitive knowledge of effectively shifting culture, coupled with an unrelenting pursuit of the technical skills necessary to build and message movements, launched a career that took her from The National Immigration Law Centre to the Obama White House and then the world stage.
Violet Roumeliotis, CEO of Settlement Services International (SSI), conference co-chair and current Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year, said Australia’s conversation around migration and multiculturalism drew a sharp dichotomy.
“One on hand we have generous resettlement programs, and a strong history of welcoming people, however, we’ve also had the White Australia policy and have drawn international criticism of our offshore processing program.
“We live within a complex global environment, and there is no such thing as ‘business as usual’ in migration.
“We have world experts, people with lived experience and policy makers together in this unique think tank here at Metropolis. We want you to come up with new ideas, be challenging and be challenged,” said Ms Roumeliotis.
The International Metropolis Conference (www.metropolis2018.org.au) is being held at ICC Sydney, October 29 – November 2, 2018.
Population Policy
SSI supports a population conversation that brings balance, fact and data on Australia’s migration program to ensure our successful multicultural social fabric and community cohesion are not undermined. SSI acknowledges the strong multi-party support for Australia’s non-discriminatory migration program and investment towards the successful settlement and integration of newcomers.
Migration has clear economic and social benefits for Australia. The Productivity Commission Inquiry Report Migrant Intake into Australia (2016) found that with net migration at the historic average rate, GDP per person is projected to increase by some 7% relative to zero net overseas migration by 2060.
SSI encourages stronger government stewardship and longer-term coordination of the skilled migration program, as flagged by the Productivity Commission. Currently the skilled migration intake — which accounts for about 60% of the annual migrant intake, and 90% is reported to settle in Sydney and Melbourne — is driven primarily by individual businesses and shorter-term needs for skilled staff.
Regional Resettlement
SSI welcomes dialogue on the benefits of newcomers settling in regional cities and towns; noting that central to healthy community development is the investment in both capital and social infrastructure.
As a provider of settlement services in regional NSW, SSI sees first-hand the benefits to local economies and community social cohesion when regional settlement is driven by local communities welcoming newcomers.
Findings emerging from a three-year study of settlement of recently arrived refugees in NSW, Victoria and Queensland (conducted by Collins and Reid) confirm that a warm welcome makes all the difference, with 68% of Queensland respondents in the study reporting that it was “very easy” or “easy” to make friends in Australia.
SSI acknowledges the need to ensure industry and employment opportunities are in place, and recognises the opportunity to match the skills of new migrants with the skill shortages in rural and regional Australia.
In developing a population planning framework, SSI would welcome the involvement of community and settlement service providers, to inform the creation of a population policy.
SSI is committed to being part of ongoing conversations to enable the establishment of settlement support services and settlement strategies for migrants in target locations, and to link new migrant families with employment, opportunities and community.
AWMA recognises the contribution and value of First Nations and multicultural performers by acknowledging excellence in artistry and musicianship, technical and production skills, cross-cultural development, songwriting, music education, music photography, film making, management, humanitarian work, leadership and more.
AWMA is the brainchild of Founding Director and Sydney-based music producer Vicki Gordon. It was established to address the under-representation of Australian women artists on the radio, in festival line-ups, as award recipients and in the boardrooms of the Australian music industry by empowering women and recognising their value, achievements and contributions.
Ms Gordon said the partnership between AWMA and SSI was unique and that, through joint commitment and collaboration to the cause, AWMA and SSI had an incredible opportunity to cast the spotlight on talented women from culturally diverse backgrounds.
“The partnership provides an opportunity for first arrivals to engage in a supportive environment set up to empower disadvantaged women through music,” Ms Gordon said.
“AWMA provides opportunities for networking with First Nations and multi-cultural artists and music practitioners by creating a direct connection to the broader music industry sector.”
Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year 2017 and SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the partnership between AWMA and SSI created a platform where culturally diverse female artists could become recognised for their talents and contributions to the Australian music industry.
“The Diversity in Music Award aligns with SSI’s Arts and Culture vision of advancing cultural diversity and supporting newly arrived artists to participate and contribute to Australia’s multicultural arts and culture communities,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“The collaboration between AWMA and SSI will support diverse communities in building artistic bridges and recognise the wonderful and varied talent that we have here in Australia, and that there really are great opportunities for all who want to contribute.”
Among the stellar list of artists endorsing AWMA as a groundbreaking initiative is former refugee and renowned hip-hop artist Kween G, who will be performing live at a launch event in Sydney on September 12.
Kween G sits on the AWMA Advisory Council and has been a long-time supporter and collaborator with SSI through its flagship Arts and Culture festival, New Beginnings. Kween G is an excellent example of the participation of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Australian music industry.
The inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) will be staged in QLD at the Brisbane Powerhouse, October 9-10, 2018 2018. AWMA will present a series of free forums, a key note address by Kate Ceberano, a film screening, a photographic exhibition and unique networking opportunities.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Officer Rebeka Selmeczki;
M: 0468 998 300
It will also serve as the launch of new work by Settlement Services International (SSI) artists Karmeen Yalda, Mariam Abbas and Emmanuel Asante.
Festival-goers can get happy-snaps in front of the artists’ contribution to a community mural created by Muralisto in partnership with SSI’s Arts and Culture program.
Zoe Edema from Muralisto said the mural centred on multiculturalism and diversity.
“Muralisto is dedicated to using public art as a vehicle for social change,” she said.
“We do this with youth-focused art mentorships. Working with groups of young people, we start by discussing social issues and incorporate them into the plan for the mural, and then they work with our mentors to paint them.”
Karmeen Yalda said her experience attending workshops in the lead-up to painting the mural had allowed her to learn about the past and present of some of the world’s most magnificent artworks.
“It was one of the best experiences. I was so delighted and happy and would love to join again,” she said.
Self-taught artist Emmanuel Asante was first connected to SSI through Headspace when battling depression. He said his experience with SSI was like a dream come true.
“I feel more alive and useful because I am contributing more and my art is recognised,” he said.
“Meeting people who are passionate about art gives me self-satisfaction because, where I come from, art is held in disdain. There is no other joy than hearing a compliment from kids: ‘I want to draw like him!’”
Eat Your Heart Out Liverpool will be held on August 25, 2 pm – 9 pm, in Railway Street, Liverpool. See the program for more information.
SSI supports a population conversation that brings balance, fact and data on Australia’s migration program so that our successful multicultural social fabric and community cohesion are not undermined.
SSI acknowledges the strong multi-party support for Australia’s non-discriminatory migration program and investment towards the successful settlement and integration of newcomers.
Migration has clear economic as well as social benefits for Australia. The Productivity Commission Inquiry Report Migrant Intake into Australia in 2016 found that with net migration at the historic average rate, GDP per person is projected to increase by some 7% relative to zero net overseas migration by 2060.
SSI supports the Productivity Commission’s recommendation from this inquiry that the Australian government should articulate a population policy to be published alongside the periodic intergenerational report.
SSI also supports the Productivity Commission’s recommendation that, in determining the migrant intake, the Australian government should give greater consideration to the implications for planning and investment and that State and Territory governments should develop detailed infrastructure plans that are consistent with population growth.
SSI notes the Productivity Commission’s extensive deliberations in the 2016 inquiry on the aim of the skilled migration stream and the goal of the stream to contribute to economic development and meet labour market needs within the broader context of maximising the wellbeing of the Australian community.
As flagged by the Productivity Commission, SSI encourages stronger government stewardship and longer-term coordination of the skilled migration program to meet this objective.
Currently the skilled migration intake — which accounts for about 60% of the annual migrant intake, of which about 90% is reported to settle in Sydney and Melbourne — is driven primarily by individual businesses and shorter-term needs for skilled staff.
SSI welcomes the cross-sectoral support of peak business, union, multicultural and settlement organisations for Australia’s permanent migration program as expressed through the recently released National Compact on Permanent Migration.
SSI also welcomes dialogue on the benefits of newcomers settling in regional cities and towns.
As a provider of settlement services in regional areas, SSI sees first-hand the benefits to local economies and community social cohesion when regional settlement is driven by local communities welcoming newcomers. Findings emerging from a three-year study of settlement of recently arrived refugees in NSW, Victoria and Queensland (conducted by Collins and Reid) confirm that a warm welcome makes all the difference, with 68% of Queensland respondents in the research study reporting it was “very easy” or “easy” to make friends in Australia.
The Chaldean League of NSW identified a need to support newly arrived refugees to develop skills, knowledge and confidence to navigate technology in English.
Raghda Aziz, who fled persecution from Iraq with her family in 2011, never used technology in her home country.
Understanding the struggles and the devastating impact a simple immigration form can have for a refugee, with the Chaldean League of NSW she set her sights on applying for the Community Innovation Fund to teach technology classes to newly arrived refugees.
“I said to myself I’m going to learn everything, do my best to help new refugees when they arrive and volunteer my time to help people build technology skills,” said Ms Aziz.
The aim of the classes is to increase participants’ skills in using personal devices, computer accessories and programs, navigating Internet browsers, email accounts and social media, and basic document usage. The classes focus on advanced English language skills in a technology context and within a safe and trusting environment.
The second round of Community Innovation Fund applications opens July 25, 2018, and closes August 20.
Recipients receive support when they’ve been funded to implement their project through coaching and mentoring from SSI. Local service providers and other funded bodies are not eligible to apply.
To find out how to apply for the second round, visit the Community Innovation Fund.
Awards were made to those leading the way in five categories.
From the 37 nominees, the winners for each category were:
- Community Category — Muslim Women’s Association
- Innovation Category — MTC Liverpool
- Small to Medium Business — Crezent Eatery, Condell Park
- Large Business — Rashays, Punchbowl
- Sports and recreation — C&M Aquatic Centre, Padstow
The success of the initiative is an example of community, local government and business collaborating to build an inclusive community from within.
Canterbury Bankstown councillors with some of the award winners: Nadia Saleh, Canterbury Bankstown Deputy Mayor; Jacqueline Druart MTC Liverpool; Khal Asfour, Canterbury Bankstown Mayor; Wafa Zaim and Safa Merhi, Muslim Women’s Association; Clotilde Doxaras and Taylor Dawson, C&M Aquatic Centre; Chanmonita Lok and Chansokdane Lok, Crezent Café.
Led by The Multicultural Network and supported by Settlement Services International (SSI), the South West Bankstown Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Bankstown, Fairfield and Liverpool councils, the initiative has developed into a movement and a challenge that more businesses are embracing.
“The diversity in cultures and worldviews that make up South West Sydney, alongside a strong entrepreneurship and business ethic, has fuelled the success of the project and the understanding that it makes good business sense to be inclusive,” said Wally Mehanna, CEO of the South West Bankstown Chamber of Commerce.
Minister for Disability and Multiculturalism, the Hon. Ray Williams, attended the awards alongside Khal Asfour, the Mayor for Canterbury Bankstown. Both reiterated the commitment of state and local governments to continue working to implement their respective disability inclusion action plans.
Local government councillors with Minister for Disability and Multiculturalism, the Hon. Ray Williams, at the Zero Barriers Business Excellence Awards.
SSI’s Multicultural Disability Inclusion Officer, Javier Ortiz, said, “It is great to see how many businesses have embraced making some small changes to their practices. The ripple effect from that can have profound effects not only to individuals but also to entire communities.”
SSI’s CEO and Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year Violet Roumeliotis said, “Migrants have a history of being engaged in small businesses, which are often seen as the cornerstone of migrant communities. The inclusive attitudes displayed by those businesses in South West Sydney and the involvement of local governments demonstrate the inclusive and welcoming environment that newcomers of all abilities settling in the region can expect.”
The year-long Zero Barriers project involved presentations to businesses, the development of a checklist, guidelines and stickers designed by local children with disabilities.
Those businesses and organisations that displayed inclusive attitudes towards reducing barriers received the sticker and could nominate themselves for the Zero Barriers Awards.
SSI, along with the organisations and local governments involved in the project, will continue to support businesses working to reduce their barriers and showcase examples of why it is important to build inclusive practices in businesses and in all other areas of community life.
Through SSI’s Disability Employment Enterprise and programs such as Ability Links and FutureAbility, a whole of community approach will continue to ensure that inclusive attitudes and practices are embedded in migrant communities, ensuring that people of all abilities are well supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Watch a video of one of the winning businesses, C&M Aquatic Centre, or for more information, contact Javier Ortiz on 0401 097 803.
The event will host over 100 people and aims to promote the business case for access and inclusion, particularly in multicultural communities across South West Sydney.
The awards presentation will highlight some of the great efforts and commitment businesses and services have demonstrated, including innovative practices, which promote inclusion and access.
Large and small businesses have engaged with the project.
Examples include:
- the Punchbowl Rashays restaurant which hosts a sensory hour every week for families with children on the autism spectrum
- a petrol station that provides support for people with mobility limitations to fill up their tank
- a swimming school that runs inclusive swimming lessons for all kids regardless of ability
- a local bank that allocates time and resources to support customers with cognitive impairments
The project, led by the Multicultural Network, has involved a collaboration between three local government areas — Fairfield, Canterbury Bankstown and Liverpool — Settlement Services International and the South West Bankstown Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the CEOs of the organisations involved, the Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. Ray Williams, will be attending and speaking at the awards alongside Khal Asfour, Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown, and representatives from the Fairfield and Liverpool councils.
The Zero Barriers Business Excellence Awards will be held at the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Road, Bankstown, Wednesday July 25 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
SSI welcomes the NSW government’s investment of $3 billion in disability services in 2018–2019, as its contribution during the transition to full operation of the NDIS in NSW.
In particular, SSI congratulates the government on its continued funding of the important Ability Links program during the transition, as this program has been extremely successful in supporting culturally diverse people with disability.
SSI has delivered Ability Links in areas with culturally diverse populations, with strong employment outcomes, and 64% of SSI Ability Links individual outcomes were with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) participants.
SSI also welcomes the continued funding of disability advocacy services, which are important to help people get supports through the NDIS. SSI looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the NSW government in delivering services to people with disability in NSW, and helping culturally diverse communities access disability supports.
SSI welcomes the NSW Government’s investment in children and families and was pleased to see a $200 million investment in early childhood education and care (ECEC).
Access to high quality ECEC has significant benefits for our children, setting a strong foundation for their future learning at school and beyond. It also plays a crucial role in early intervention and ensuring vulnerable children and families are connected and supported right from the start.
Unfortunately, we know that for many CALD families access is low and too many of our children are missing out. It is important to ensure that this increase in spending is reaching our families and that we are developing avenues to support equity of access.
SSI welcomes the NSW government’s commitment of funding for 100 new case workers to work with vulnerable young people and the child protection system to support better safety, permanency and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and their families.
In particular, the support to out-of-home care, permanency support, and support to high-needs children in out-of-home care is commended as SSI has 150 children in its Multicultural Foster Care program and it sees their needs on a daily basis.
SSI acknowledges and welcomes the focus on families in general as we are aware that many of the families from CALD backgrounds are struggling. It is hoped that matters raised in the Tune Review are addressed through this budget and that early intervention across the continuum of care remains a high priority.
SSI is pleased that Multicultural NSW has received additional funding for its grants program administered through the Department of Premier’s and Cabinet for community initiatives as it allows communities to foster a sense of belonging and feeling valued for their contribution to a diverse society.
Among 2018-19 NSW Budget highlights were:
- $12.4 million to engage with communities, administer community projects, partnerships and grants, and provide policy advice
- $10 million to provide interpreting and translation services in more than 100 languages and dialects