As a top priority, FECCA has identified the creation of a federal Multicultural Act to enshrine multiculturalism in law.
It says legislating multiculturalism would ensure a whole-of-government approach to issues involving and affecting communities from non-English speaking backgrounds. (NESB)
Chairman Joe Caputo says the organization wrote to the Coalition, Labor, and the Greens to see where they stand on the issue in the lead-up to the July 2nd election.
The Coalition has told FECCA existing laws and policies are sufficient.
Labor has pledged to resurrect the Office for Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Social Services, invest $24 million for improvements in the Adult Migration English Program, while increasing support for workforce participation programs and the Human Rights Commission's anti-racism strategy.
The Greens were also the only party prepared to back FECCA's proposal for an integrated national policy framework on languages.
FECCA wants to see language policy that takes into account Australia's economic imperatives, as well as the place of language learning and maintenance in identity and cultural development.
It calls for mandatory second-language education and measures to support endangered languages.
Joe Caputo says Labor and the Coalition appear reluctant to take a stand on migrant and refugee community issues.
In total, FECCA sought responses in 10 policy areas -- among them aged and disability care, family violence, and the future of SBS and community broadcasting.
It also urges changes to the family migration stream, in particular, the basis on which the intake quota for partner visa applicants is determined.
Another focal point is the presence of women from non-English speaking backgrounds in boardrooms.
Labor and the Coalition have committed to ensuring 50 per cent government board seats are occupied by women - the opposition saying their target would be by the end of the first term in office.
But FECCA says gender equality policies ignore the specific challenges faced by migrant and refugee women.
And that's a view shared by Voula Messimeri from the Melbourne-based Australian-Greek Welfare Society.
Ms Messimeri was part of a 2013 FECCA-led study into the participation of NESB women on boards and other decision-making bodies.
She says not enough is known in this area, and much of the information is anecdotal.
Ms Messimeri says the study identified some unique obstacles, including women prioritizing family settlement over their careers, and feeling opportunities are limited irrespective of their qualifications.
Voula Messimeri says, even with relevant experience, it's hard for women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)backgrounds to get ahead.
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