21/02/2024
A delegation team of the Federation of Nepalese Association of Australia (FeNCAA) met with Ms Kathleen Matthews-Watts MP, Chair of Parliamentary Friends of Nepal to Victoria Government at Parliament house of Victoria to discuss community-related issues such as immigration, grants, cultural promotions, and collaboration, and briefed her about Nepalese community’s contributions. and interest for greater representation and opportunities to contribute to various Federal and State level government departments.
During the meeting, issues such as engagement and strengthening the relationships of Nepalese- born Australian citizens, permanent residence, and temporary residence roles in local, state, and national government with parliamentary friends’ groups of Nepal were discussed. During the meeting, FeNCAA raised the issues and challenges face by new immigrants, students, visitors, and temporary workers including settlement services, mental health, family violence and employment right. The meeting also discussed areas of potential collaboration.
The team briefed FENCAA initiatives and significant ongoing projects run by member organisations such as Nepali language school programmes, Sports, Cultural programmes, and various health, and wellbeing awareness campaigns and training programmes. The team also highlighted the need for more funding and grants to support above community- programmes.
The Ms Kathleen Matthews-Watts MP was positive towards the suggestion, shared her thoughts and promised that she will extend possible help and support to achieve these objectives. Ms Kathleen also suggested that FeNCAA to prioritise community development projects and seek opportunities of collaboration.
The meeting was concluded with commitment of continue discussion in future focusing on strengthening the relationship, collaboration with FeNCAA and Nepali Community Associations and support of Victoria Government to the Victorian Nepali Communities.
The delegation team was comprised of Dr Raju Adhikari, Founding president and Patron, Mr Bhola Giri, Spokesperson, and Mr Bom Yonzon, President.
FeNCAA Secretariat
Contact: Mr Bhola Giri, Spokesperson, 0411771285 Email: info@fencaa.org.au
