Members of the Filipino Ministerial Consultative Committee met for the first time with Ministers Chris Bowen, Kate Lundy and Ed Husic at Parliament House, Canberra last October.

A wide range of issues affecting the Filipino community were raised to include the elderly, women and youth; migrant information and settlement issues; educational qualifications for migrants and overseas workers; affordable housing, mental health and sports.  High on the list of priorities was the reciprocal agreement.

 The above-mentioned issues were not limited to the portfolios of the ministers in attendance and would be referred to the appropriate authorities.  Next meeting was scheduled in the New Year and briefings would also be sought from: Foreign Minister Carr – Asian Century White Paper; Minister Mark Butler – Aged Care and Access and Equity Inquiry; and Minister Jenny Macklin – Australia-Philippines Social Security Reciprocal Agreement.

(Photo:  Seating (L-R) Emily Rudd, Minister Chris Bowen, Minister Ed Husic, Senator Kate Lundy, Atoy Sayas and Ruben Amores.  Standing:  Bobby Lastica, Jun Relunia, Melba de Guzman Marginson, Miko Selorio, Benjie de Ubago, Marissa Vedar, Lina Cabaero and Carmelita Baltazar.)