Media Releases
State Election 2026: multicultural voters matter
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) has released its policy platform for the upcoming 2026 Victorian State Election. After a year of community consultation around the state, ECCV has launched A Victoria for All of Us, a platform outlining 14...
New premier and multicultural reforms for Victoria
Today marks a change in the leadership of our state with the appointment of Premier Ben Carroll. It also marks an important milestone with the introduction of key multicultural reforms into State Parliament. The new legislation represents the next step in implementing...
More than 150 seniors celebrate positive ageing at ECCV event
More than 150 seniors from multicultural communities across Victoria came together at Coburg Town Hall for ECCV's Multicultural Seniors Celebration, recognising the valuable contribution older people make to our communities and cultural life. Attendees represented a...
ECCV response to Federal Budget 2026
In uncertain economic and geopolitical times, this Federal Budget is certainly more ambitious than many we have seen in recent years. The Albanese Government has sought to respond to several major national challenges at once – including cost-of-living pressures, an...
ECCV calls for sustained investment in multicultural communities ahead of state election
Budget 2026-27: Peak body welcomes targeted funding while urging more support for multicultural Victorians The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) welcomes funding to support migrant and refugee communities outlined in today’s State Budget. As...
ECCV calls for expanded and more accessible Humanitarian Program
Refugees have long been an important part of Australia’s migration story, contributing to the social, cultural and economic life of our communities. In our 2026–27 submission on Australia’s Humanitarian Program, ECCV is calling for a progressive increase in our annual...
STATEMENT: Impact on Lebanese Australians
As an organisation advocating for migrants and refugees, we acknowledge the deep distress felt locally by the mounting death toll in Lebanon from Israeli attacks. While ECCV’s focus must be local, we know that overseas conflicts are never distant for our multicultural...
Islamophobia Resources
A recent spate of attacks targeting Muslim communities in Victoria - including in the regions - are deeply disturbing. ECCV condemns and call out all forms of hate wherever it occurs. As an organisation we are committed to advancing a state and nation where people of...
Conflict overseas: support for local communities
ECCV’s focus is local – here in Victoria is where we have most impact – and yet we all know that overseas conflicts have repercussions for local communities. ECCV's CEO, Farah Farouque, said: Migration does not mean shedding your identity, your family or other ties...
ECCV scholarships supporting grassroots women
Multicultural women working and volunteering at the grassroots level bring an incredible range of skill and experience. We all need to tap into this talent pool more. As we head into International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March, ECCV is pleased to share that we will...
Chairperson and Office-Bearers Elected
ECCV has moved to a new chapter in governance. Our newly elected Board of Directors have met to select office bearers for the next two years. The 2025-27 office-bearers are: • Chairperson: Silvia Renda • Deputy Chairperson: Tina Hosseini • Deputy Chairperson: Nicolas...
ECCV warns political opportunism is undermining public confidence in skilled migration
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) has warned that public confidence in skilled migration is being undermined by political opportunism and misinformation, calling for stronger leadership and proactive public communication. The warning is contained in...
Submission on the Transition of CHSP to Support at Home
ECCV's submission responds to issues raised by Victoria’s multicultural ageing and aged care sector regarding the transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to Support at Home Program. Drawing on consultations with ethno-specific and multicultural aged...
STATEMENT: Attack in Bondi
As the voice of multicultural Victoria, we express our profound sorrow for the atrocity that took place during an outdoor religious event for the Jewish community in Sydney on Sunday. On the first day of Chanukah, the peace of the Festival of Lights was shattered by...
ECCV AGM Welcomes New Board and Renews Calls for Unity in Challenging Times
More than 200 people attended the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) Annual General Meeting on Tuesday evening, marking one of our strongest turnouts in recent years and reflecting the depth and diversity of Victoria’s migrant and refugee communities....
ECCV welcomes new Victorian Multicultural Health Survey
ECCV welcomes the launch of a new Victorian Multicultural Health Survey — a timely step towards creating a more culturally responsive health system. Victoria’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt today confirmed the upcoming rollout of the new survey to...
Multicultural reforms aim to rebuild trust
It is the beginning of a new era for multicultural policy in our state. The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) welcomes the Allan Government’s plans to establish Multicultural Victoria: a new statutory body that will combine the roles of the Victorian...
STATEMENT: Anti-Immigration Rallies
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria has zero tolerance for hate. The so-called 'March for Australia' rallies this past Sunday did not speak to the inclusive values of our dynamic modern Australia. It was hateful. It was hurtful. It was harmful. As the voice of...
Submission on 2025-26 Humanitarian Program
Refugees have been an important part of Australia’s post World War Two migration intake and brought immense social, cultural and economic benefits to our communities. Speaking to our best traditions as a welcoming multicultural nation, ECCV is calling for Australia’s...
ECCV welcomes Budget measures to support our multicultural communities
The Allan Government’s latest Budget provides welcome cost-of-living relief and continued funding for key programs to benefit culturally diverse Victorians. In a challenging fiscal environment, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) welcomes measures...
ECCV Statement on the anti-racism strategy
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) welcomes the Victorian Government’s new anti-racism strategy which was launched at State Parliament yesterday. This is our state’s first comprehensive plan to tackle the problem of racism in our community. It was...
ECCV welcomes Farah Farouque as CEO
The Chair of Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV), Eddie Micallef, is delighted to announce the appointment of Farah Farouque as Chief Executive Officer. Farah will commence in the role on 28 October. Mr Micallef said Farah's substantial experience in social...
Digital illiteracy has become a new disability
ECCV's new research report has found that many older Australians, especially those from migrant backgrounds, are severely disadvantaged through the routine requirement for them to go online for vital information and services. The digital divide has far-reaching...
New research reveals vast majority of racist incidents go unreported
A new research report launched today looking at ways to reduce reporting barriers and improve support services for Victorians who experience racism has found that the vast majority of racist incidents in Victoria go unreported. The 'Understanding reporting barriers...
2020
December
November
Victoria’s social and economic recovery needs to be built on multicultural communities
October
Communicating about COVID-19: Health Literacy and Language Services During the Pandemic
September
ECCV concerned over lack of consultation over ‘values test’ in new citizenship test
Seniors’ Clubs: Positive Ageing Hubs for CALD Seniors are At Risk of Closing Down
August
Lack of coordination with Victoria’s multicultural expertise may have hampered COVID-19 response
July
June
Meet Athena Papadatos, Disability Advocate for CALD Communities at the ECCV
The spread of coronavirus has nothing to do with ethnicity
Refugee Week 2020: Let’s show leadership in bringing people together
May
ECCV joins with leading organisations to address racism and promote social cohesion in Victoria
April
ECCV urges the Australian Government to support temporary migrants during the COVID-19 crisis
ECCV welcomes George Zangalis as a Life Member
March
Let’s Stand Together: Social cohesion and community action needed now more than ever
February
ECCV welcomes funding announcement from the State Minister for Multicultural Affairs
2019
December
ECCV’s anti-racism campaign launch led by an important conversation on challenges and solutions
ECCV welcomes community leader and former state MP Eddie Micallef as new Chairperson
October
ECCV launches Gambling Harm Awareness Week Digital Campaign.
September
Professor Marcia Langton AM to deliver annual oration honouring Walter Lippmann
August
ECCV welcomes the appointment of the Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson
June
ECCV presents unique film which highlights personal stories, hardships and successes of refugees
ECCV says more needs to be done to tackle gambling harm in CALD communities
May
ECCV says more needs to be done to tackle gambling harm in CALD communities
ECCV urges Morrison Government to demonstrate zero tolerance of racism and hate speech
ECCV says political parties need to promote a ‘fairer’ migration program
ECCV urges voters to assess multicultural policies of parties during election
April
ECCV urges Federal Government to do more to help pensioners as a high priority
ECCV congratulates Victorian Government on three-year anniversary of Family Violence reform
January
ECCV salutes Victoria Police efforts to eliminate anti-social behaviour
2018
November
ECCV stands with the many African communities
ECCV’s newest executive officer
ECCV against Crown’s special exemptions Funding boost for Victorian language services welcomed
June
Funding boost for Victorian language services welcomed
ECCV encourages local council to participate in World Refugee Day
May
Minister for youth launches ECCV intercultural young advocacy
2018 participation CALD senior grants open
State budget boosts multicultural funding to $43.6m
March
February
ECCV 2018 state conference registrations open now
January
2017
December
Mayor of Whittlesea City Council, Cr. Kris Pavlidis is the new ECCV Chairperson
November
Multicultural communities hold diverse views, just as other communities do
Section 44 deters almost half of Australians from participating in federal politics
October
ECCV applauds the rejection of the proposed citizenship bill
September
ECCV encourages multicultural Victorians to vote YES for marriage equality
August
ECCV pleased with Senate’s reaction to Senator Pauline Hanson burqa question time stunt
July
More Resources needed to combat the Hepatitis epidemic within Victoria’s diverse communities
ECCV reflects on the Islamophobia in Australia Report 2017
June
Fact, Australia is the most ethnically diverse country in the world