Culturally and linguistically diverse Australians will have a say in national health care reforms through the Albanese Labor Government's new National Multicultural Health Consumer and Carer Network.
Sixteen consumers and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds will be appointed to the Network.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenges some people from CALD backgrounds face in accessing health care and health information, including language and cultural barriers, low health literacy and digital literacy.
Labor believes listening to consumers and carers is pivotal to strengthening Medicare and making the health care system fairer and more responsive to the needs of our diverse population.
Members will be appointed by the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative, an initiative of the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA).
Two members will be chosen from each state and territory. The group will also aim to be representative of diverse cultural and ethnical backgrounds, faiths, age groups, genders, identities, and other considerations.
The network members are expected to provide informed feedback on policies and frameworks, drawing from their lived experiences. This will contribute to health policies which are more inclusive and cater to multicultural consumers and carers.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP:
"The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the difficulties some people from CALD backgrounds have in accessing both health care and health information.
"Labor is committed to improving health equity for people from CALD backgrounds. A key part of this is listening to CALD perspectives on how we can make the health system more inclusive and fair.
"The new National Multicultural Health Consumer and Carer Network is all about centring lived experience and community sentiment to strengthen Medicare and Australia's health system"
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill MP:
"All Australians, regardless of faith, background or ancestry, are rightly proud of Medicare, Australia's universal public health system.
"But the evidence shows that not all Australians get a fair go in accessing healthcare. So this is a terrific initiative to make sure our health system delivers for everyone. Labor built Medicare and only Labor will always strengthen Medicare so it works for everyone".
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Officer, FECCA, Ms Mary-Ann Geronimo:
"The Network is a significant step towards ensuring that the voices of consumers and carers from diverse backgrounds are heard to help build a healthcare system that truly reflects and serves our multicultural society."
