A new report aimed at establishing “a level playing field” for Australia’s migrants was launched today at Parliament House by the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy.

The report, based on community consultations undertaken from 2010 to 2011 by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils, was praised by Senator Lundy for bringing “a personal perspective” that would be useful for the Federal Government in its planning.

Based on responses from 250 people face-to-face and 95 online, suggests we may be missing out on the skills and innovation that migrants bring to Australia.

FECCA chairman Mr Pino Migliorino lamented the fact that there were still many migrants who were unable to use their skills when they arrived here. Some of this could be traced to continuing racism and discrimination, but more often the problem was attributable to a less than sophisticated understanding of concepts such as “cultural competency.”

Mr Migliorino was joined by Ms Gail Ker from the Australian multicultural Council in speaking about strengthening approaches to diverse communities.

An eloquent account of one effort to combat this problem was presented by Cindy Reese Mitchell of Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre and founder of the Fyshwick firm “No Sweat Fashions” which, employing newly-arrived migrants, sought profit through social inclusion and training.

Other questions raised in the report dealt with the vulnerability of people disadvantaged by cultural factors and the failure of both government and the wider community to understand newcomer’s approaches to family, aged care, child protection, gender issues and family law.

For the full report  visit www.fecca.org.au