mcot survey may 2020 how is covid-19 affecting your … · serving the cald community, government...
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MCOT Survey May 2020
How is COVID-19 affecting your community?
Table of Contents
ExecutiveSummary...........................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................51. DuringthisCOVID-19crisis,areyouoranymembersofyourcommunityfindingitdifficulttomeetyourbasicneedslikefoodorshelter?...........................................................................52.Whataresomeconcernsforyouatthistime?........................................................................73.PleaseshareanyideasonhowMCOTcanaddresstheseconcerns?.......................................104.Whatareopportunities(ifany)youseewiththeCOVID-19crisis?.........................................125.PleaseshareanyideasonhowMCOTcandevelopsomeoftheseopportunities?..................146.Pleaseshareanyexamplesofhelpfulthingsmembersofyourcommunity,oracommunityorganisationyouareamemberof,havedoneduringtheCOVID-19crisis?...............................157.Doyouthinkyou,oracommunityorganisationyouareamemberof,coulduseagovernmentgranttodohelpfulthingsinresponsetotheCOVID-19crisis?...................................................178.Pleaselistthelanguagesyouspeak,thenationalityofyourancestorsandyourreligionifyouhaveone?.................................................................................................................................189.Contactdetails......................................................................................................................1810.IsthereanythingelseyouwouldliketosharewithMCOT?.................................................18Furtherwork.............................................................................................................................19
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Executive Summary Thisreportprovidesanoverviewoftheresponsestothesurveyofculturallyandlinguisticallydiverse(CALD)communitygroupsinTasmaniaconductedbytheMulticulturalCouncilofTasmania(MCOT)inMay2020.
The57respondentsrepresentmuchofthediversityofourCALDcommunityinTasmania.
Thesurveywasbalanced,askingaboutboththeopportunitiesandchallengesduringthisCOVID-19crisis.TheresponsessuggestthatCALDcommunitiescontinuetodemonstrateself-sufficiencyandresilience,butarefacingthedualchallengesofthepressurescommontoallTasmaniansduringthiscrisis,pluspressuresuniquetoCALDcommunities.
TheuniquepressuresfacingCALDcommunitiesincluderacismandracialdiscrimination,lackofconnectionwithmainstreamcharitiesresultingfromahistoryofself-sufficiencywithintight-knitCALDcommunities,language-relateddifficulties,andgreaterpersonalconnectionwithtragiccircumstancesseenoverseas.CALDcommunitiesalsoincludetemporaryvisaholders,whofaceuniquepressuresduetorestrictedworkrightsandwelfareeligibility.Formanytemporaryvisaholders,areturntotheircountryoforiginmaynotbepossible,feasibleorintheinterestsofthebroadTasmaniancommunity.
MCOThasrespondedtoindividualsurveyrespondentswhoexpressedvariousneedsbyprovidingwhatsupportandreferralswecould.
MCOTnowsharesthesurveyresponseswiththeCALDcommunity,otherorganisationsservingtheCALDcommunity,governmentandwiththemedia–topromptfurtheractioninresponsetotheneedsidentified.
SincethestartoftheCOVID-19crisisMCOThasbeencarryingoutitscoreresponsibilitiesasapeakbodybyprovidinginformationtoCALDcommunitiesandadvocatingforCALDcommunitieswithgovernmentandthemedia.Inaddition,MCOThasbeenprovidingsomemodestassistancetoCALDTasmaniansfacingfinancialhardship.
MCOTwillcontinuetoadvocateforthelong-terminterestsofCALDTasmanians,inwhatwillbechallengingcircumstances.MCOTwelcomesinputfromitsmembersasitcarriesoutthisrole.
AbriefoverviewoftheresponsesandcommentsforeachquestionissetoutintheremainderofthisExecutiveSummary.
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1.DuringthisCOVID-19crisis,areyouoranymembersofyourcommunityfindingitdifficulttomeetyourbasicneedslikefoodorshelter?
Yes45.61%No54.39%
Thosereportingdifficultiesmeetingbasicneedsincludecasualemployeeswhohavelostsomeoralloftheirprevioushoursofwork,andrecentlyarrivedinternationalstudentsnotknowingwheretoturn.
2.Whataresomeconcernsforyouatthistime?
TheanswersthatarosewiththegreatestfrequencyincludeSocialisolationandlackofcommunity(59.65%),Healthandfitness(56.14%)andEmployment(52.63%).
Resultsandcommentsshowthatrespondentsareespeciallymissingsocialinteractionandsupport.Somecommunitymembershavedifficultyconnectingwithcommunitymembersthroughonlinemedia.CommentsfurthermoreshowthereisanxietyandconcernamongstrespondentsonhowCOVID-19isaffectingtheirwork,opportunitiesforfutureemploymentandtheirvisastatus.
3.PleaseshareanyideasonhowMCOTcanaddresstheseconcerns?
RespondentssuggestedsupportforCALDcommunitymemberstofindorkeepemployment(includingananti-discriminationcampaigntargetedtoemployers),toenablepeopletopayrentandtoprovidefoodfortheirfamilies.Respondentsalsosuggestedadvocacyforpeopleontemporaryvisaholderstobeeligibleforgovernmentsupport.
4.Whatareopportunities(ifany)youseewiththeCOVID-19crisis?
ManypeoplesawopportunitiesduringCOVID-19withrespecttonewwaysofworkingtogether(68.52%)andcommunitykindness(62.96%).However,severalpeoplecommentedthattheCOVID-19crisiswillnegativelyinfluenceAustralia’sreputationasa“happygolucky”country.Othersmentionedopportunitiestolocaliseproductionandconnectwithfamilyandlocalcommunitymembers.
5.PleaseshareanyideasonhowMCOTcandevelopsomeoftheseopportunities?
RespondentssuggestedthatMCOTlobbythevariouslevelsofgovernment,monitorthemediaforracismanddiscrimination,combatsocialisolationandincreasedigitalliteracy.
6.Pleaseshareanyexamplesofhelpfulthingsmembersofyourcommunity,oracommunityorganisationyouareamemberof,havedoneduringtheCOVID-19crisis?
TheresponsestothisquestionresultinanimpressivelylonglistofthingsthatCALDcommunitygroupsaredoingtosupporttheircommunityandthewiderTasmanianpopulationduringtheCOVID-19crisis.
TheactivitiesvaryfromsharinggovernmentinformationaboutCOVID-19measures,tomanufacturinganddistributingmasks,toprovidingfoodforpeopleinneed.
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Numerousformsoffoodsupportwerereported,includingtheprovisionoffoodvouchers,pickingupanddeliveringgroceriestocommunitymembers,andcookingfoodathometosharewithothers.
Furthermore,respondentsoutlinedvariousfundraisingactivities,includingonlinefundraisingeffortstosupportpeopletopayrent,purchasefoodtobedonated,andhelppeopletotraveltotheircountryoforigin.
7.Doyouthinkyou,oracommunityorganisationyouareamemberof,coulduseagovernmentgranttodohelpfulthingsinresponsetotheCOVID-19crisis?
Yes65.33%
No32.69%
Severalrespondentsemphasisethatgrantsawardedtocommunitygroupswillbemosteffective,sincethegroupsknowwhomwithintheircommunityneedsupport,especiallyfinancialsupporttomeetbasicneedssuchasfoodandrentpayments.
8.Pleaselistthelanguagesyouspeak,thenationalityofyourancestorsandyourreligionifyouhaveone?
Inordertoprotecttherespondents’privacy,onlyanoverviewoftheanswersisprovidedinthisreport.RespondentsidentifyasAsian,African,European,American(bothNorthandSouth)andAustralian.ThenationalitiesofancestorsincludeRussian,Brazilian,Eritrean,Korean,Chinese,Indian,NepaliandAustralian.ReligionsincludeChristian,Buddhist,Muslim,Hinduandatheist.Othercommentsinclude“recentlyarrivedonastudentorworkingholidayvisa”and“secondgenerationmigrant”.‘
9.Contactdetails
Inordertoprotecttherespondents’privacy,thecontactdetailsoftherespondentsarenotsharedinthisreport.
10.IsthereanythingelseyouwouldliketosharewithMCOT?
ReponsestothisquestionincludefurthersharingofvariouspracticalideasonhowtobestsupportourTasmanianCALDcommunity,includingformingworkinggroupsthataddressspecificthemes,suchasemployment,healthandeducation.Respondentsalsoaskedspecificquestions,suchasaboutthetreatmentofholdersofAustralianvisaswhoareoverseas(towhichMCOThasprovidedaninitialresponse).Furthermore,severalrespondentspraiseMCOT’sworkandareexpressinggratitudethattheycansharehowtheyareandbeingasked‘howareyou?’
PleasecontactDuncanSpender,ChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheMulticulturalCouncilofTasmania(MCOT)tosharethoughtsandideasrelatingtothissurveyviaceo@mcot.org.auor0401065131.
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Introduction ThisreportprovidesanoverviewoftheresponsestothesurveyconductedamongstCALDcommunitygroupsinTasmaniabytheMulticulturalCouncilofTasmania(MCOT)inMay2020.
Thealmost60respondentsthatfilledouttheircontactdetails(thiswasoptional)showthatmanyoftherespondentsarebasedinsouthernTasmania.
Thecultural,linguisticandreligiousdiversityoftherespondentsisverybroadandrepresentativeoftheCALDcommunityinTasmania.Examplesofrespondent’scountryoforiginincludeGermany,Russia,Brazil,Eritrea,Korea,China,India,NepalandAustralia.
Thereisalsoabroaddiversityinrespondents’visastatus.SomehaverecentlyarrivedonastudentorworkingholidayvisaaswellasmigrantsonaskilledmigrantvisathathavebeeninAustraliamorethan5yearsandsomethatarecurrentlyunabletoenterAustraliaafteravisittotheircountryofbirth.Respondentsalsoincludedseveralsecond-generationmigrants.
ThediversityoftherespondentsseemstobeagoodrepresentationofthediversityofourCALDcommunityinTasmania.
Repliestoeachofthequestionsaresetoutbelow.
1. During this COVID-19 crisis, are you or any members of your community f inding it diff icult to meet your basic needs l ike food or shelter?
Yes45.61%No54.39%
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Summary
Commentsshowthatpeoplethatwerecasuallyemployedhavelosttheirworkandincomeandarestrugglingtomeetbasicneedssuchasshelterandfood.
Somerecentlyarrivedinternationalstudentsarefeelingveryisolatedanddon’tknowwheretoturn.
Selectionofcomments
“Iamaninternationalstudentanditsbeen2monthsIcameheretoHobartformymastersstudyinuniversityofTasmaniaandIamstockintheroomanddon'thavejobtooanditsreallyhardformetopayformyrentandfoodstuffsasmyparentsarelockeddowninhomeasmycountryisinlockdownformorethen1andhalfmonths,soIdon'thaveanysupportfromanyoneinsuchhardship.”
“1.Accordingtointernalcommunitydiscussionandanalysingby…CommunityNewsandSMSs,wefoundthatmostofourpeoplefeltunstablewiththemealsandplacetolive,thereforewe[namecommunity]preparerice,noodlesandanyotherfoodtosharewiththem.2.Wehavemanyworkingholidayvisaholderscannotfind,orlosttheirjobsduetothisissueandnotabletoaffordtheirrent.3.Someofworkingholidayvisaholdersandstudentvisaholdersplannedtogobackto[namecountryoforigin]asPrimeMinisterhavementionedaboutit,butthenotmanyflightswereavailabletoflywithinAustraliaortooverseas.4.Manyofushaddifficultiestopurchasefacemasks.”
“Withinmycommunityweareawareofmemberswhoarefindingitdifficulttobuyfoodandhavesufferedlossofincomeduetothepandemicarestrugglingtopayforrentandotherregularfinancialcommitments.“
“IhavelostmyshiftduetoCOVID19.IwasworkingforGJKfacilitiesservicesasacasualworkerandmyworklocationwasUTASsandybaycampus.BecauseofCOVID19thecampuswasclosedandIlostmyjobanditwasmyonlyjob.“
“75to80%ofmycommunityasIunderstandareeitherstudentsorpeopleonTRwithnomedicalorunemploymentbenefits.AsCoronahitusandstudentsandotherslosttheirtempemploymentmeanttheyhadtoseekorrelyonolderAustraliansinourcommunitytodigdeepintotheirpockets”
“Tempvisaholderscohort,lostemployment,noothermeansofsupport”
“Asaworker,Inoticedatthebeginningofthecoronavirusthattherewereconcernsaroundfoodsecurity,howeverthisislesssonow.”
“Mostofmycommunityareretiredsostillhavemoneycomingin.”
“Myfamilybringfood;Ihaveahome”
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“Onlyoneyoungcouple,Asianstudentsattheuniversity,whohavelostjobsthatwerecoveringtheirrent.Theyarescrapingby,withassistancefromothers,andarehavingtofindacheaperplacetorent.Otherwisewehavenotheardofanyother[communityname]whoareneedingassistance.”
“Whilethereisanabundanceoffamilysupportavailable(viafamilymembers)offeredtomanyolder[namecommunitygroup],allphysicalinter-relationshipsremainseverelydisruptedandthishasfoodimplications.Deliveryofgroceries&medicinesforthemostpartaresupported,Ifeel.Thesharingofpreparedmealsregularlyinacommunitysettinghashadanegativesocialimpact.Iunderstandthat[namecommunitymember]of[namecommunitygroup]hasbeendoingsomeorallofthesedeliveriestopeople’shousesinlieuofthefortnightlycommunityluncheons.Iwillsendthesurveytohim.Another(withoutGovtfundedsupport)fortnightlyluncheonco-ordinatedby[namecommunitymember]hasbeendiscontinued.Thiswasrunbyvolunteers,andIsuspectthesevulnerableolder[nameculturalgroup]Tasmaniansaremissingthatfortnightlymeal-andnowwithoutadeliveryoption,alsothesocialcontactthatwouldentail.Ihavenotheardofanyshelterproblems”
“Iknowofmany[nameculturalgroup]hadtoreturntheirrentedhomesforfeartheywouldn'tbeabletopaytheirbillswithalltheirworkshiftsgone”
“DuetoCOVID19,it’sbecominghardtomaintaingroceryandrentbeingauniversitystudent!!”’
“Wehavethehabittostockupsuppliesgoodforamonthevenbeforethecovid-19pandemicandalsowewereabletorenewourleaselastFeb2020”
“Withoutgovernmentfundingtherearepeoplewhohavelostjobsandlivingoftheirsavings.Mostpeoplearesoontorunout.Astheeffectofthepandemicisglobalinnature,familybackhomeisalsobeingaffectedfinanciallyandhencetheyareunabletogethelpfromhome”
“Mostlythenewlyarrivedstudents”
2. What are some concerns for you at this t ime? Answerchoices ResponsesSocialisolationandlackofcommunity 59.65%Healthandfitness 56.14%Employment 52.63%Education 47.37%Mentalhealth 43.68%Rentandhousing 42.11%Safety 33.33%Immigrationandvisaprocesses 31.58%Racismanddiscrimination 31.58%Foodsecurity 28.07%Phone,internet,dataorrelatedproblems 19.30%Languageissues 10.53%
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Agedcare 8.77%Familyviolence 8.77%
Summary
Resultsandcommentsshowthatrespondentsareespeciallymissingsocialinteractionandsupport.Somecommunitymembershavedifficultyconnectingwithcommunitymembersthroughonlinemedia.
CommentsfurthermoreshowthereisanxietyandconcernamongstrespondentsonhowCOVID-19isaffectingtheirwork,opportunitiesforfutureemploymentandtheirvisastatus.
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Selectionofcomments
“Nofuneralformysister.NomosquegatheringsforRamadan.Nocommunitymealsattheendofthefast.“
“Ihavebeengivenafamilymember'sphoneandamstilllearningtouseitImissvisitsoffriendsandthecommunity.”
“Mycommunitymembersarefairlyself-sufficientoverall.Theyaremostly-asfarasIknow-eitherindependentskilledmigrants,oruniversitystudentsandsomepartnersmarriedtoTasmanians.Thepandemichasaffectedourabilitytoseeeachothersociallyandsupporteachotherwithgenerallifeandmentalwellbeing,andsignificantlyaffectedbothongoingandnewemploymentopportunitiesforthoseontemporaryvisatypes.Therearesomecommunitymemberswhohavebeensignificantlyaffected.”
“AtthismomentIdon'thaveanyjobanditalsothesamesituationinbackhomeduetoCOVID19Ican’tgetanyfinancialsupportfrommyfamily.Withoutjobit’shardtopayrentandotherutilitiescostandfood.”
“Immigrationandvisaissuesisabigissuethathasbroughtaboutalotofuncertainty.Thiswillbringaboutlackofconfidencewhichwillleadtodepression,familyviolenceandotherhealthissues”
“Discriminationandracism.”
“Eventhoughthesearenotdirectlyapplicabletome,Iknowthatthecommunityhastheseissues.Especiallywithemploymenthencefoodsecurityandhousing/rent”
“Can'tgettingnominationduetobridgingvisa,asIhavetogoOverseastolodgevisa.Immigrationshouldremovetheconditiontolodgeonbridgingvisaandletpeopleapplyvisaapplicationonshoreduringthistime.”
“Wecouldnotattendcommunitycharityevents.”
“Casualworkisnotavailable.Mygrandchildrenneedtobehomeeducated.My[namecommunitygroup]can'tmeetandIcan'tseefamilyandfriends.Irentandamconcernedthatrentswillincreasetounaffordablelevels.Ican'tgoswimming.Mychoirismeetingviazoombutmanyofthemlacktheequipmentandskills.Iamdistressedbytheracisttonesofsomepoliticians”
“Fortunately,wehavesetupaphonetreeandvisitswhennecessary,tocheckonthemembershealth(includingmental).WehavereplacedcommunitygatheringswithZoommeetingsandguidedmemberstousethistool.Individualswhohavetheopportunityaresupportingfamiliesandoldermembersandkeepingintouchtominimisetheeffectsofphysicalisolation.”
“Digitalliteracyiskeytoalloftheabove.Idon'tmeanalltheaspectsofdigitalliteracyeither.Facetimecapacityisimportantforsocialcontact,butmedicalcontactalso”
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“MybridgingvisastartedonApril15th,whenservicesTasmaniawasrefusingpaperworkforMedicare.IsenteverythingtoCanberrathroughpost,notsurehowlongitwilltaketogetmyMedicarecard.Stillpayingtouristvaluesforprivatecare...Afraidmypartnervisawilltakelongertobeprocessed.AfraidofactivitiesIneedtoproceedtoworkasamedicaldoctorherewilltakelonger(IneedtodomyEnglishtest).”
“Wehadfamilycomingtovisitbutthathadtobepostponed.Thefactthatalltheinternationalbordershavebeenclosedmakesusfeelsafeaboutthecovid-19situation,butleavesusthinkingaboutwhenwe'llbeabletohaveourfamiliescomingoverforavisit”
“Ihavestruggledforabout6yearsinAustralia.Havestudiedmastersanddidcoupleofotherqualificationsaswell.Cameto[nameofcountryoforigin]inJanuaryfortwomonthandwassupposetocomebacktoAustraliaon30thofMarch.AustraliaplacedtravelrestrictionsandnowIamstuckherein[namecountryoforigin]alongwithmywifeand9monthsTasmanianborndaughter.Australianimmigrationandgovernmentisnotthinkingaboutourstrugglesatall.It’sgettingreallyhardforustoevensurviveanddon’tknowwhatwillhappeninfuture.�”
“AsIhavementionedIamnewtothisplaceandIdon'thaveanyjobsoitshardertopayfortherentandfoodtooandmoreoverIhavetopay14kAUDtocollegeasanextsemesterfee”
3. Please share any ideas on how MCOT can address these concerns? Summary
CommentscontainmanyideasrelatedtosupportingCALDcommunitymemberstofindemploymentorkeeppeopleemployed(includingaantidiscriminationcampaigntargetedtoemployers),andtoenablepeopletopayrentandprovidefoodfortheirfamilies.
Otherideasarerelatedtoadvocacyfortemporaryvisaholderstobeeligibleforgovernmentsupport.
Selectionofcomments
“MCOTcanhavearegisterwherebypeoplecanregistertheirissuesandlinkupwithorganisationsthatcanprovidesupport.”
“Wewillbeabletosolvemostoftheissuesifwecangetfunded.”
“Providefinancialsupportinpayingaportionofrentorotherfacilitiessuchasprovidefoodsupplyorgivevouchersofgroceriessoatleastpeoplewhoaregenuinelyinneedcansurviveinthisextraordinarytime.”
“MCOTcanhavearegisterwherebypeoplecanregistertheirissues.”
“Activelyadvocatingtoindustriestoemploystaff”
“Atleasthousingfacilitiesforeveryonebeamust.”
“ContinuingtolobbyStateandFederalGovernments”
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“Lobbyingforrentalassistance”
“Toconductprogramcreatinganawarenessindifferentcommunitiesandprovidinghelptoeachother”
“Organizingprogrammesofhelpandhope”
“Weneedtomakemulticulturalismvisibletothewholecommunityactivelyandcontributetoeducationabouthowtoworkandlivetogetherinharmony.”
“Multiculturalcentretofeelsafe,dobanking,obtainfood,grocery,informationetc.”
“Advocacyforpeople,especiallytemporaryvisaholderswhoarenoteligibleformanysupports.”
“Haveonlinechats/entertainmentprogrammessuchassinging,dancingintermsofsocialisolation.Foodvouchersforyoustruggletobuyfood.”
“Couldyoupleaseaskimmigrationtoremove48sbarsothatpeoplecanapplyvisaapplicationonshore?”
“Awareness”
“Althoughwe(temporaryvisaholders)havenobenefitsfromthegovernmentevenpayingtaxesaseveryone,IamafraidthatpeoplewillblameimmigrantsfortheCOVIDandgovernmentwillmakemorestrictlawstowardus.”
“Runsomeonlineitemstoassistwithupskillingpeopleresocialmedia”
“Ifyouguyscan,helpmetofindworkthenIcanhelpmyownfamily.”
“Phonecallstoassessinfirstlanguagewhatsupporttheyhavearoundfood,shelter,telehealthopportunitiesandsocialconnections.ItismostImportanttoknowiftheycanseepeoplesfacesontheirphones”
“IfMedicareandvisabureaucracieswereacceleratedatthistimewouldbegreat,buthonestlyIdon’tknowifMCOTcaninterferewiththat.”
“Forsomepeople,theopportunitytogobackhomewouldbeasolution.Butthereareveryfewflightsrightnowandmanycan'tpayforthatsincetheylosttheirjobs”
“Regularupdatesonhowtogetinvolved.”
“Collaboratewithgovernmentagenciestorunanti-discriminationcampaign“
“Createamorediversecommunitywithoutracism”
“ContinueLobbyingtheFederalGovernmenttoincludealltemporarymigrantsintosocialsupportschemesintroduced”
“MCOTshouldlettheimmigrationandgovernmentknowthatatleasttheyshouldallowthevisaholderstoenterAustraliawithtougherquarantinerestrictions,evenpeopleareready
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topayforit.Iamholding489conditionalPRforwhichIhavetolivefor2yearsinTasmaniaandworkforoneyearandIreallydon’tknowwhenAustraliawillallowustoenter.“
“FranklysayingIdon'thaveanyideaofhowcanasIdon'tknowanythingofhere.IhopeMCOTcoulditselfbringsussomehelpforme.”
Andseveralpessimisticcomments:“Can't”and“None”
4. What are opportunities ( if any) you see with the COVID-19 crisis? Summary
ManypeoplerespondedseeingopportunitiesduringCOVID-19withrespecttoNewwaysofworkingtogether(68.52%)andCommunitykindness(62.96%)
However,severalpeoplecommentedinthissectionthatthecurrentsituationwillnegativelyinfluenceAustralia’sreputationasa“happygolucky”country.
Othersmentionedopportunitiestolocaliseproductionandconnectwithfamilyandlocalcommunitymembers.
AnswerChoices Responses
Newwaysofworking 68.52%
Communitykindness 62.96%
Relationshipwithenvironment 48.15%
Adoptingtechnology(quicker) 40.74%
Improvedsocialconnections 37.04%
Moretimeforme 38.89%
Trustingovernment 35.19%
Changesingovernmentpolicy 35.19%
Greatercollaboration 31.48%
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Selectionofcomments
“Moretimewiththepeopleyoulivewith.Betterrelationshipwithneighbours.Biggervegetablegarden.Moreorganisedhouse.Improveduseoftechnologyresocialmedia.”
“Refocusingonlifegoalsandwayofworkingandrelatingtoothers.”
“Writingmyfamily'sstory.”
“Idon'tthinkIhaveanyopportunityatallspeciallyinmycase.”
“IftheGovernmentmakesomechangeswiththeirpolicytosupporttothetemporaryvisaholdersastheypaytaxaswell.(Weappreciateofthe$250fundfromTasmanianstategovernmentthistime,theyfeelthat'snotenough,New-ZealandandCanadasupportthem)”
“Ifcommunitycanintroducesomekindofworks,suchasIamstudyingincertificate3inindividualsupportsopeoplewhoarestudyingsimilarfieldscanofferjobtohelpcommunityandalsocanhelpthemselvesorcandosomesocialworktokeepthecommunityactiveandmentallystressfree”
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“Yes,theGovtcertainlyshoulddo360degreeturnaroundintheirpolicyarea.Australiawillneverbethesame“LuckyCountry”anymore.Thesocialoutlookisgrim.Thiswillleadtofamilyviolence,druguse,burglaryetcasthehavenotsgetsmorethanthehaves”
“Wellit'saperfectopportunitytosetasidefromthedailyhustlebustleoflife(asbeforethepandemic)andrather,workonyourself,spendmoretimewithfamily,finishincompleteworks,learnnewthingsandjustbeyou!IfeelI'mcontrollingmylife(daysnnights)now,wellbeforeitwasmorelikemylifeiscontrollingme.”
“Ican'tseeanyopportunityatthemoment.”
“ForthegovernmenttotrulyfundhealthcareinAustraliaandkeeptheincreasedpaymenttoNewstart(stilltobegin!)andendhomelessnessonceandforall...weknowthemoneyisthere...justneedthewill!AnothermajorchangewayoverdueistherelianceonChinaforallmanufacturing...whileourlocalbusinesshaveshutdownorhadtogooffshore.Encouragelocalenterprise.Re-buildourscientificlaboratoriesandfundresearchinAustralia...withsomeofthebestandbrightestscientistsintheworld.Atimetore-prioritiseandre-assessforgovernmentsandindividuals.”
“Strengthensupervisiononthemediabynotspreadingnegativereportsordiscriminativereports.”
“Using/zoommuchmore”
“Wehavefoundthathelpingthememberstouseappropriatetechnology(Zoom,telephoneorstandingoutsidetheirabodeandspeakingtothem)tobridgeisolationandencouragecooperationwithgovernmentrequestshasmeanttheyunderstandthesituation.Thevariancesinstancesbydifferentsectionsofgovernmentandbetweenstatesdamagedtrustinthem,whichresultedinangerandconfusion;requiringpersonalguidance.Thelevelofinternationalcollaboration,inthemain,hasheartenedmany,andmadetheobstructionistsstandoutmoreclearly.”
5. Please share any ideas on how MCOT can develop some of these opportunit ies? Summary
TheresponsestothisquestionincludesuggestionsforMCOTtolobbythevariouslevelsofgovernment,monitorthemediaforracismanddiscrimination,combatsocialisolationandincreasedigitalliteracy.
Selectionofcomments
“Continuetolobbywithlocal,StateandFederalGovernmentforsupport.”
“Keepreminding[thegovernment]ofthetruecostofnotdoingthings.”
“Createaregisterforissuesarisingandcoordinatesupportaccordingly.”
“Distributefoodvouchers.”
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“Coordinatemeetingsandcommunitysupport.”
“Continuepositivedialoguesandcommunityevents.”
“ShareCommunitygardenYouTubevideosofpeople'slifestories.Makeinternetandcomputersavailablefordisadvantagedpeopletouse.”
“MCOTcanliaiseandhavedialoguewiththemainstreammediaandaskthemediatopublishmorepositivereportsandcontributionsofmigrantsanddifferentraces.”
“EducatethemulticulturalcommunityonthepotentialeconomyscenarioafterCovid-19,andhelpthemthinkaboutopportunities.”
“Thissurveyisalreadyagreatopportunitytoheardifferentpeopleandtheirconcernsandchangesthroughoutthepandemic.”
6. Please share any examples of helpful things members of your community, or a community organisation you are a member of, have done during the COVID-19 crisis? Summary
Theresponsestothisquestionresultinanimpressive,longlistofthingsthatCALDcommunitygroupsaredoingtosupporttheircommunityandthewiderTasmanianpopulationduringtheCOVID-19crisis.
Theactivitiesincludesharing(government)informationaboutCOVID-19measures,manufacturinganddistributingmasks,andprovidingfoodforpeopleinneed.
Thesupportinvolvingfoodismentionedoften.Thisrangesfromprovidingfoodvouchers,pickingupanddeliveringgroceriestocommunitymembers,andcookingfoodathometosharewithothers.
Furthermore,therearevariousfundraisingactivities,includingonlinefundraisingeffortstosupportpeopletopayrent,purchasefoodtobedonatedandhelppeopletotraveltotheircountryoforigin.
Selectionofcomments
“Wepurchasedsewingmachineandproducedfacemaskstoprovidetoourmembersbyourvolunteers.”
“WehaveWhatsAppgroupsandweareconstantlycheckingifeveryoneisokandsharinginformation.Somepeoplenowaredoingmealstosellandwearebuyingfromthem(cakes,bread,pies,etc)Also,somegirlssoldsomesweetsandpaidtherentoffaguysinneed.”
“Keepthecommunityinformedwithdailynewsupdate,viasocialmedia-exchangeinformationaboutprotectivegearsagainstcovid-19-donateprotectivegearstoothercommunitygroups.”
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“Providegroceriesforaffectedcommunitymembers.Lobbythestateandfederalgovernmenttoincludesocialsupportforalltemporarymigrants.”
“WesupportedflightsfeetosometemporaryVisaholderswholeftTasmaniarecentlyduetoCOVID19issues.”
“Helpingoutwithfoodvouchersforthemuchneededuniversitystudents/youngsterswholosttheirparttimejobs.”
“Wehaveaskedourmemberstodonateanycashtheycanspare.ThisIunderstandisbeingdistributedtotheneedy.Butwecoulddomorefundraisingoncethebansarelifted“
“Beingacafeowner,weprovidedfreemealstohomelessandgenerousdiscountstohealthcareandfrontlineworkers.”
“Distributionofrationsandfoodvoucherstointernationalstudentsandtemp.visaholders”
“Helpshoptodisablepeople”
“Donatedface-masksandhandsensitiserstothepublichospital”
“Communityandneighbourscomingtogethertoassisteachothere.g.gettinggroceriesforthosewhocannotetc.”
“Regularcommunicationwithpeopleandconveytrustedinformationandinstructionaswellasfoodsupplytostudentinisolation.”
“Raiseawarenessofgovernmentregulationssuchassocialdistancingetc”
“Donationofmasks,givefreemaskstomembersofthepublic.”
“I’mdoingdeliveringfoodtothosepeoplewhoareeffectingwiththevirusorwhoarehomeless.”
“TakenanelderlymembertothedoctorandforbloodtestsAssistedsomepeoplewhoaretechnologicallychallengedtousesocialmediaSetuparegularweeklymeetingonzoomsochoirmemberscanchatAssistedwithhomeeducationCheckedonneighbourwhowascoughingalot(onlyasthma,butworthchecking)”
“Ensuringallmembersareregularlycontactedandsupported,opportunitiesforparticipationinonlinegatherings,bothlocalandmoredistantcouldbegrasped.Maintenanceworkundertakenoncommunitypropertywhilemaintainingpersonalseparation.”
“SetupinfowebinarsoninternationalrelationstopicsprovidedsupportforothersstrandedoutsideAustralia”
‘ForEaster.....acommunitymemberandwelfareworkerwenttomanypeople’solderpeople'shousesandverykindlytookfood,the"livingholyflame"(aprotectedcandle)andtheEasterholyoilblessedespeciallybythepriest.Iwouldprefertotalkaboutthedeedsof
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others.AllIdoismakeexcess[nameculture]foodanddeliversometomyparentsandsomeothersofourelderswhoneedafriendlyfacedroppingfoodattheirdoor”
“Organiserepatriationflights.”
“Givingmoralsupportandfoodtodisplacedmigrants”
7. Do you think you, or a community organisation you are a member of, could use a government grant to do helpful things in response to the COVID-19 crisis? Yes65.33%No32.69%
Summary
ManyideasaresharedinresponsetothisquestiononhowgrantscanbeusedtosupportCALDcommunities.Severalrespondentsemphasisethatgrantsawardedtocommunitygroupswillbemosteffective,sincethegroupsknowwhowithintheircommunityneedssupport,especiallyfinancialsupporttomeetbasicneedssuchasfoodandrentpayments.
Selectionofcomments
“Wecanhelpinbuyinggroceriesforpeopleinneedwithouthavingtoaskforcontributingfromtheworkingmembersofthecommunity.“
“Ourcommunityisnotnumerous[..]Thismeansproportionally,whensomemembersareaffected,itismoredifficulttoraisenecessaryfundsinternally.Agrantwouldassistustokeephelpingouraffectedmemberswithbasicessentials.”
“Manyofourmembersaretoopoortoaffordgoodcomputerequipment-youcouldmayberunaprogramwherepeoplecoulddonatecomputersandotherpeoplecouldbuythemforanominalamount.”
“FlightfeesupporttotemporaryVisaholderswhowillflybacktoTasmaniaafterthisissuegetsolved.”
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Otherideasinclude“-mediacampaignonanti-discrimination-offerassistancetohardshipcases-aforumtodiscusspost-COVIDeconomicparticipation”
8. Please l ist the languages you speak, the nationality of your ancestors and your rel igion if you have one? Inordertoprotecttherespondents’privacy,onlyanoverviewoftheanswersisprovidedinthisreport.
RespondentsidentifyasAsian,African,European,American(bothnorthandsouth)andAustralian.
ThenationalitiesofancestorsincludeRussia,Brazil,Eritrea,Korea,China,India,NepalandAustralia.
ReligionsincludeChristian,Buddhist,Muslim,Hinduandatheist.
Othercommentsinclude“recentlyarrivedonastudentorworkingholidayvisa’and“secondgenerationmigrant”.
9. Contact detai ls Inordertoprotecttherespondents’privacy,thecontactdetailsoftherespondentsarenotsharedinthisreport.
10. Is there anything else you would l ike to share with MCOT? ReponsestothisquestionincludeideasonhowtobestsupportourTasmanianCALDcommunity,includingformingworkinggroupsthataddressspecificthemes,suchasemployment,healthandeducation,andrequestingsupportfortherespondents’personalsituation.
Furthermore,severalrespondentspraiseMCOTsworkandareexpressinggratitudethattheycansharehowtheyareandbeingasked‘howareyou?’
Selectionofcomments
“Iwouldliketoseeworkinggroupsindifferentareas(funding,employment,health,education,etc)atMCOTandseekanopportunitytogetinvolvedinoneormore.”
“IsthereanysupportavailableforpeoplewhoareholdingTasmanianvisaandarestuckoverseas?”
“MCOTiscommendableinprovidingleadershiptomigrantissues.”
“GreatforMCOTtobesoactiveinthisspaceandrepresentingawidediversityofcommunities.”
“It’safantasticcouncilwhoalwaystakingcareoftheircommunityineverymanner.”“ThanksforkeepinguptheinterfacingbetweenthemanycommunitiesthatmakeuptheTasmanianpopulation.“
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“Loveyourwork.Wishingyouallsafety,continuedcourageandgoodluck-particularlyaroundallthedigitalliteracychallengespresentinginolderethnicallydiverseTasmanians.”
“Thanksforcaringandasking.”
“Thankyouforyourconcern.”“ITISGOODYOUARETHERE.”
Further work MCOTcontactedrespondentsbyemailtothankthemforfillingoutthesurveyandprovidedinformationonhowtoaddresssomeoftheissuesraised.
MCOTpresentedasummaryofthepreliminaryresultsofthissurveytotheNetworkingforHarmonyWorkgroupwithrepresentativesfromvariousCALDcommunitygroups,governmentaldepartmentsandserviceorganisationsonWednesday20May2020.
MCOTissharingthissummaryofthesurveyresultswiththeStateGovernmentandwillcontinuetoadvocateforgovernmentpoliciesthatbuildsocialinclusionandgoodoutcomesforTasmanianswithaCALDbackground.
MCOTisrespondingtoracismanddiscriminationthroughrepresentationstomediaandgovernment.MCOTwillalsocontinuetoprovidefoodvoucherstoTasmaniansfromaCALDbackgroundthatexpressedtheyarehavingtroublemeetingbasicneeds.SinceMarch2020MCOThasprovidedmorethan400individualsandfamilieswithvouchers.
ThankyoufortakingthetimetoreviewtheresultsofourMCOTsurveyonhowCALDcommunitygroupsareaffectedbytheCOVID-19crisis.
PleasecontactDuncanSpender,ChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheMulticulturalCouncilofTasmania(MCOT)tosharethoughtsandideasrelatingtothissurveyviaceo@mcot.org.auor0401065131.