A proposed structural shake-up of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania has sparked fears that some communities will be left without a voice.
A Special General Meeting (SGM) was called last week to discuss potential changes to MCOT’s constitution, including a proposal to reduce the number of board members from 14 to five.
The move has sparked criticism that it would leave the organisation, which is tasked with representing Tasmania's multicultural communities, with less diversity among its representatives.
Longtime MCOT member and former board member Michael Dutta is against the proposed changes.
“I have my heart in the place as a member of non-English speaking background,” he said.
Mr Dutta said MCOT has grown in membership numbers over the last few years.
Michael Dutta owns a cafe in South Hobart, and is a member of MCOT. Source: SBS News: Sarah Maunder
“There are a lot more numbers of people coming from India and Nepal now. There’s a lot more refugees and students in Tasmania now as well,” he said.
The council, which represents about 90 different organisations, and more than 90 individuals, receives $110,000 from the Tasmanian Government to run the annual Harmony Festival and works with local governments to help new arrivals access services.
It has been outspoken against racism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has also been providing food vouchers to people struggling with their finances since the virus outbreak.
Reshma Dutta is also a member of the council and previously served on the board. She has her own concerns about a possible reduction in board members, and the remaining board members having too much power.
“There was no community consultation prior to last week’s SGM, due diligence was not done,” she said.
“I want to see all the communities work together, we need inclusive representation on the board.
“At the moment a lot of people are confused about what the role of MCOT is. MCOT is supposed to be a peak body, but I think there are people and communities out there who have shied away from joining the council.”
Lack of diversity in leadership
John Kamara, who is a member of several African groups in Tasmania as well as MCOT, is worried that the Tasmanian African community won't be properly represented if board membership is reduced.
"How will five people make the decision for so many community groups? How will those democratic processes work when you've got five people? There's so many worries around that," he said.
According to the state's Migrant Resource Centre, people who have been settled in Tasmania via the Refugee and Humanitarian Program have come from Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Burma, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Iran.
The 2016 census data also shows that Mandarin and Nepali are the second and third most common languages spoken in Tasmania. There's also about 26,000 temporary visa holders living in Tasmania.
After last week's planned meeting to consider the proposed changes was deemed to be a breach of the constitution, the council has launched a survey of its members about the possible constitutional changes.
The survey ask members what they think about the current size of the board, how board members are elected, and if members think voting should be allowed by proxy.
Since 2018, MCOT has had four different CEOs: Raj Chopra , Suzanne Mallick, Ron Franks and now Duncan Spender. According to local media reports at the time, Dr Mallick was unfairly dismissed after four months in the role. Mr Franks told SBS News he was hired on a non-permanent basis, and left on good terms.
Waqas Durrani has been the chairperson of MCOT since 2018. Source: SBS News: Sarah Maunder
MCOT’s current CEO Duncan Spender said reducing the number of board members would bring MCOT in line with the best practice guidelines set-out by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
“The typical board size in a not-for-profit sector would be between five to eight people, so amongst a range of constitutional updates that we thought might be worth pursuing, would be reducing the size of our board,” he said.
Mr Spender said what was proposed last week could change as a result of the survey responses.
"The board will consider all the feedback we get, and we will also share all the feedback we get," he said.
"It could be that the board will think that the way ahead is something different from the particular proposal that was put forward at last week's meeting."
MCOT chairperson Waqas Durrani expected there would be mixed views about the changes.
Duncan Spender is the current CEO of MCOT. He has been in the role since the end of 2019 Source: SBS News: Sarah Maunder
"Everybody has their own opinion, some would support (these ideas) and some would find it difficult, but these are early days, so it’s quite soon to jump on any conclusion.
“Through the survey we would hear what (people) want, and then accordingly we would see how we can ensure that we serve our members best."
A consultation session for MCOT members to discuss the survey results and possible constitutional changes will be held on 10 August.
Mr Spender said changing the number of board members is not a financial decision.
“It’s important to note that the board members aren’t paid, they are voluntary positions. Whether we have 18 board members or seven board members, there is not a direct financial connection,” he said.
There are also concerns about conflict of interest given Mr Durrani is the brother of the senior vice-chairperson Hina.
Mr Durrani said he and his sister were both elected to their current roles by the 14-person sized board.
"This is something that is known to everyone," he said.
