Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council

About the council

The Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council (the Council) advises the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Queensland on opportunities and barriers facing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and how to promote the Multicultural Queensland Charter to support a unified, harmonious and inclusive community.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs Queensland chairs the 11-member Council, which advises on:

• the needs, aspirations and contributions of people from diverse backgrounds
• promoting the principles of the multicultural charter within the Queensland community
• developing and implementing government policies about multiculturalism
• how government-funded services and programs can be responsive to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds.

Current Council members

Third term - 2022 to 2025

Mr Beny Bol OAM

Beny is president of the Queensland African Communities Council and works for Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma as a Senior Leader for Youth Engagement and Community Partnerships. Since arriving in Australia in 2007 as a refugee from South Sudan, he has gained two Masters' degrees in International Law and Governance, and Public Policy and Development, from the University of Queensland and Griffith University, and written a book about his journey. Beny has received several awards for his positive impact on the lives of young people, including recognition in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours list and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his work in youth justice.

Dr Ignacio Correa-Velez

Ignacio is a Senior Lecturer and Public Health Undergraduate Course Coordinator, School of Public Health and Social Work, QUT. As a former co-CEO of the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma, and working as a General Practitioner in Colombia, he brings a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience to the role. Ignacio is currently focused on supporting refugee and migrant community-led initiatives to address the social determinants of health and wellbeing, as well as fostering inclusion and full participation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Queensland.

Mrs Kenny Duke

Originally from El Salvador, Kenny's background involves working in the settlement, training, employment, multicultural youth Queensland (MyQ) and community development sectors. She is an active member of the Logan community and, through her work with SSI, has extensive connections throughout the multicultural sector, government, and community. Kenny is a genuine collaborator who brings a nuanced understanding of both, opportunities and barriers faced by the culturally and linguistically diverse community from refugee, migrant, and asylum seeker backgrounds.

Dr Faiza El-Higzi OAM

Faiza is a political scientist who specialises in socio-economic inclusion, cultural diversity and gender equality with extensive experience in the public, private and not for profit sectors. She is a Lecturer, Research Fellow and Deputy Chair of the Cultural Inclusion Council with the University of Queensland. She is also the Chair of Ethnic Broadcasting Association Queensland and community Radio 4EB, and a Board member of Queensland Council for Social Services. Faiza is also Chair of Women of Colour advocacy body and a Director at the National Ethnic Media and Broadcasting Council. Faiza has extensive experience in public sector policy having worked for both State and federal governments and is the recipient of an Outstanding Multicultural Achiever Award from the Queensland Government and an Order of Australia Medal from the Australian Government.

Ms Anna Jones

Anna has a public health and education background. Her wide-ranging experience includes working in refugee camps throughout Africa and being a school-based speech and language assistant. She is currently a VET Tutor, teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health. Based in Cairns, she brings a regional perspective and understanding of the opportunities and challenges for culturally diverse groups living in regional Queensland. Anna is also President of the Cairns African Association as well as co-founder and current director for the Maisha Bora Program which addresses wellbeing and integration for resettled refugees in Far North Queensland.

Mr Prince Long Lo

Prince has led initiatives that empower Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities for the last 7 years across southeast Queensland and the Darling Downs.

As a previous international student who arrived in Queensland in 2013, he facilitated numerous initiatives, including workshops, events, case management, and individualised mentoring. He has supported over 5,000 newly arrived Queenslanders in economic participation, education, and community integration.

Being the current Vice President of the Dalby Welcoming Community Inc. and a member of the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society, he has a strategic understanding of issues affecting migrants, including marginalisation, English difficulties, and economic participation in the regions.

Prince has been actively supporting migrants in addressing these barriers with a wide range of stakeholders across the Darling Downs and he hopes to set a precedent for migrant youth to promote social inclusion in the regions and continue to contribute back to supporting the multicultural community.

Mr Timothy Lo Surdo

Tim is the Founder of Democracy in Colour - Australia's first racial and economic justice organisation led by people of colour. He has worked with low-paid workers to set up Hospo Voice - a new union in hospitality. In addition to previously holding the position of National Communications Director at UN Youth Australia, he has extensive experience leading campaigns tackling a range of issues including poverty and fairness. Tim co-founded Open Sky (one of India's most well-known performance art communities) and is the Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Mill House Ventures. He currently sits on numerous boards focussed on issues including ending men's family violence, consumer policy, conservation and sustainability. In 2020, Tim was appointed as one of 17 UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms Roselle Tenefrancia

Before migrating to the Gold Coast in 2012, Roselle gained extensive experience practising law in the Philippines across sectors including social welfare, environment, indigenous peoples' rights, children's rights, human rights education and monitoring, and international conflict management. Roselle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in addition to her Juris Doctor degree, has authored legal articles and research papers and worked as a trainer and freelance writer. Roselle brings a practical understanding of what supports welcome, inclusion and connection through her involvement in a variety of volunteering and community initiatives on top of her current professional work as an editor and writer.

Miss Fardowsa Mohamed Yussuf

Fardowsa is a youth advocate and Chair of Multicultural Australia's Future Leaders Advocacy Group, where she has experience consulting with government on key issues faced by culturally diverse communities. As a Youth Mentor for the African Youth Support Council, she has a keen interest in mentoring disengaged young people in the justice system.

Former Council membership

Third term – 2022 to 2025

• Mrs Cornelia Babbage OAM (2024-2024)
• Mr Ameya Bhagwant Deshmukh (2022–2023)
• Miss Madina Mohmood (2022–2023)
• Mr Giridharan Sivaraman (2022–2024)
• Mr Andrew Taukolo (2022–2024)

Second term – 2019 to 2022

• Dr Nora Amath (reappointed Council member)
• Ms Dealonna Bickey
• Ms Irene Biedak OAM
• Dr Ignacio Correa-Velez
• Dr Faiza El-Higzi OAM
• Dr Aparna Hebbani
• Dr Nkosana Mafico
• Mr Tej Man Monger
• Cr Natalia Muszkat
• Mr Giridharan Sivaraman
• Ms Vicky Yu

First term – 2016 to 2019

• Dr Nora Amath
• Ms Kerrin Benson
• Mr Elijah Buol OAM
• Miss Jayde Geia (2016–2017)
• Mrs Gitie House OAM
• Mr Shadabhusain Kadri
• Ms Chammie Kamara (2018–2019)
• Ms Joon-Yee Kwok
• Dr Ataus Samad (2016–2018)
• Mr Jason Steinberg
• Mr Serge Voloschenko OAM
• Ms Tracy Watson

Summary of work

Meeting summaries and work undertaken by the Council will be posted here.

2024

• Meeting communique – 27 August 2024 ((PDF, 152 KB)") Meeting communique – 27 August 2024 ((DOCX, 412 KB))
• Meeting communique - 3 & 4 June 2024 ((PDF, 151 KB)) (DOCX, 410 KB))
• Meeting communique – 26 March 2024 ((PDF, 152 KB)) ((DOCX, 410 KB))

2023

• Meeting communique – 18 & 19 Oct 2023 ((PDF, 136 KB))
• Meeting communique – 11 & 12 July 2023 ((PDF, 135 KB))
• Meeting communique – 28 February & 1 March ((PDF, 111 KB))

2022

• Meeting communique – 15 & 16 June 2022 ((PDF, 154 KB))
• Meeting communique – 22 & 23 March 2022 ((PDF, 57 KB))

2021

• Submission – 14 March 2022 – Submission to the Queensland Human Rights Commission's review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) (PDF)
• Meeting communique – 20 October 2021 ((PDF, 55 KB))
• Submission – 13 July 2021 – Submission to the Legal Affairs & Safety Committee inquiry into serious vilification and hate crimes (PDF)
• Consultation report – 19 May 2021 – National Anti-Racism Framework ((PDF, 408 KB))
• Meeting communique – 19 May 2021 ((PDF, 158 KB))
• Meeting communique – 10 February 2021 ((PDF, 148 KB))
• Media narratives and the impacts on culturally and linguistically diverse communities – January 2021 ((PDF, 392 KB)) ((DOCX, 167 KB))

2020

• Consultation report – 2 September 2020 – Young people's attitudes towards multiculturalism, immigration and cultural diversity ((PDF, 387 KB))
• Meeting communique – 2 September 2020 ((PDF, 112 KB))
• Meeting communique – 27 May 2020 ((PDF, 87 KB))
• Meeting communique – 9 April 2020 ((PDF, 68 KB))
• Meeting communique – 26 February 2020 ((PDF, 30 KB))

2019

• Consultation report – 11 December 2019 – Improving mental health outcomes and reducing the risk of suicide in culturally and linguistically diverse communities ((PDF, 230 KB))
• Meeting communique – 11 December 2019 ((PDF, 87 KB))
• Meeting communique – 27 June 2019 ((PDF, 89 KB))
• Meeting communique – 14 March 2019 ((PDF, 78 KB))

2018

• Meeting communique – 22 November 2018 ((PDF, 164 KB))
• Meeting communique – 27 September 2018 ((PDF, 166 KB))
• Meeting communique – 9 August 2018 ((PDF, 178 KB))
• Meeting communique – 21 June 2018 ((PDF, 178 KB))
• Consultation report – 21 June 2018 – Raising awareness of domestic and family violence and the supports and services available ((PDF, 671 KB))
• Meeting communique – 26 April 2018 ((PDF, 177 KB))
• Consultation report – 26 April 2018 – Workforce capability for the National Disability Insurance Scheme ((PDF, 618 KB))
• Meeting communique – 8 February 2018 ((PDF, 65 KB))

2017

• Meeting communique – 5 October 2017 ((PDF, 232 KB))
• Meeting communique – 22 June 2017 ((PDF, 216 KB))
• Meeting communique – 11 April 2017 ((PDF, 233 KB))
• Consultation report – 11 April 2017 – Jobs ((PDF, 612 KB))

2016

• Meeting communique – 22 November 2016 ((PDF, 215 KB))
• Meeting communique – 27 September 2016 ((PDF, 217 KB))
• Meeting communique – 31 August 2016 ((PDF, 41 KB))