Multicultural Council of Tasmania terminates chief executive’s contract

A former employee of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania has lashed out at the peak body’s board after it terminated the contract of its chief executive about one month into the role.

Multicultural Council board chairman Waqas Durrani and vice-chairwoman Hina Durrani. Picture: FIONA HARDING

A FORMER employee of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania has lashed out at its board after it terminated the contract of its chief executive about one month into the role.

Two board members are understood to have resigned from their positions after Suzanne Mallick, who had a multicultural policy background, was unexpectedly cut from the top job.

Former project officer Raj Chopra said on Thursday “something radical” had to be done to fix the government-funded body, which he said was run in a secretive, undemocratic manner, and failed to represent some migrant communities within Tasmania.

“MCOT is meant to be for multicultural communities but I don’t know in the past four months what has been done for anyone,” Mr Chopra said.

“You can’t see many communities represented but the problem is that no one wants to be a part of it because it’s such a mess.”

Australian Pakistan Club Tasmania president Hafiz Inayat, who represents 350 Pakistani-Tasmanians, questioned how the Multicultural Council of Tasmania used the $110,000 grant it received from the state government each year.

“If they are working towards multiculturalism, we should know about that,” Mr Imayat said.

“I don’t know if they exist and where they exist.”

The Multicultural Council of Tasmania board is headed by chairman Waqas Durrani and his sister, Hina Durrani, who is vice-chairwoman. Mr Durrani declined to comment.

Dr Mallick wrote to the State Government to alert them to her situation this week.

Dr Mallick declined to comment, except to say she was considering her legal options.

A State Government spokesman said on Thursday employment issues were a matter for the council.

“However, we have been advised there should be no impact on programs and services while this is being resolved,” the spokesman said.

“The CEO advised the Government regarding her circumstance late yesterday.”

BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF QUIT UNDER FINANCE CLOUD

The unrest follows a State Government audit of the Multicultural Council’s finances and governance, which last year cleared the board of any wrongdoing. Sonia Caton filled the chief executive role for about two months before resigning unexpectedly last year. Two other board members left in September before the new board was appointed that month. The Multicultural Council of Tasmania is funded as the state’s peak advocacy body for migrant-led community organisations.