ECCV is the peak policy advocacy organisation for ethnic and multicultural groups in Victoria and consults with communities when their voices are not heard in the policy process.

In October 2016 ECCV consulted with culturally diverse actors, writers, directors and stage professionals in partnership with Actors Equity, one of the most established union and industry advocates for Australian screen, TV and stage professionals within the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). This 8th social cohesion roundtable in Melbourne revealed an entrenched ghettoization of culturally diverse actors, writers and plotlines in Victoria’s and Australia’s film, TV and stage industry. Community feedback to ECCV indicates that stereotyped or absent media representations of ethnicity and faith is contributing to their disengagement from society. As government policy makers and security agencies try to strengthen our community safety, is it timely to invite the producers of our cultural imagination to the social cohesion table?