The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, Laurie Ferguson MP, and Member for Chifley, Ed Husic MP, announced the members of the new Filipino Ministerial Consultative Committee.
“This Filipino Ministerial Consultative Committee is a new initiative to inform the Government of the views of our growing Filipino community,” Mr Bowen said. Senator Lundy said the members of the new committee would work
closely with the Government.
Chris Bowen, MP
“The Gillard Government recognizes the valuable and robust contribution the Filipino community continues to make the success, prosperity and cultural richness of our nation,” Senator Lundy added.
“The committee will provide a valuable channel for communication and enable key leaders to engage with members of the Government and raise important issues on behalf of the community.”
“The new committee will provide a channel for the Filipino community to raise their concerns directly with Government ministers and will foster improved communication,” Mr Ferguson said.
“I’m proud to see the Federal Government establish this Ministerial Consultative Committee. It will give voice to the Filipino-Australian community at the country’s highest level,” Mr Husic said.
The Committee is composed of 12 members drawn from Filipino community leaders around Australia:
Mr Ruben Amores: Kapit-bahayan Co-operative;
Ms Carmelita Baltazar: Secretary of the Filipino Community Council of Western Australia;
Ms Lina Cabaero: Philippine Australian Community Services Incorporated;
Miss Benjie de Ubago: Filipino community journalist; Founder and Director of the Filipin-Oz Directory and Ideas For Sale;
Mrs Norma Hennessy: Filipino community journalist;
Mr Roberto Lastica: Bicol Communities League; ;
Ms Melba De Guzman Marginson: Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition; Victorian Women’s Trust.
Mr Jose Relunia, Jr: Chairperson of the Committee on Senior Citizens for the Philippine Community Council of NSW;
Mrs Emily Rudd: President of the Ilocano Association of Australia; Pangasinan Association;
Mr Arturo Sayas: President of Philippine Community Council of New South Wales;
Mr Marco Selorio: Youth Chairman for the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales; Galang Migrant Workers Union;
Mrs Marissa Vedar: President of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia;
The committee will meet regularly with the co-chairs and at least twice a year with Ministers Bowen and Lundy. The Government will also hold an annual forum for the committee to facilitate access to the Prime Minister and other senior Government ministers.