Minister Barr: Canberra stands ready to take its share of the Manus Island refugees
- Written by ACT Government
Released 08/11/2017
The ACT Government has a proud record of supporting refugees and asylum seekers – and we’ll do our share this time, as we always do.
The ACT became a Refugee Welcome Zone in 2015 and is also part of the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa Scheme, providing hope and certainty to asylum seekers and others who have chosen to make Canberra their home.
Canberra recently hosted the Refugee Welcome Zone Forum, working to share insights with local councils across Australia to ensure we provide the best support possible to some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
In 2015, the ACT Government made a commitment to resettle 250 refugees from the Federal Government’s one-off Syrian and Iraqi refugee intake. Just like we did then, today we are willing to take our share of those on Manus Island.
In August the Legislative Assembly passed a motion noting that the centres on Manus Island and Nauru were extremely unsafe and inappropriate places to house refugees.
Unfortunately, recent reports from Manus Island indicate the situation for refugees there has since deteriorated further.
What is happening on Manus Island is deeply concerning to many Canberrans. The Australian Government should listen to these concerns and do the right thing.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith said refugees and asylum seekers formed a key part of the ACT’s community.
“More than half of Canberrans have at least one parent born overseas, and almost a quarter live in a household where a non-English language is spoken at home. We have all heard the stories of those who came to Canberra seeking a better, safer life for them and their families. Supporting refugees, including those on Manus, is the just and right thing to do and we stand ready to do it.”
ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said Australia has a moral obligation to support the refugees on Manus Island and Nauru, and the ACT takes that obligation seriously.
“Our Canberra community is ready and willing to welcome refugees. The ACT Greens initiated the motion in August and are pleased to join with the Government again today on this issue. We believe that seeking asylum is a humanitarian issue that obliges us all to treat those seeking asylum with compassion and dignity,” Mr Rattenbury said.
- Statement ends -
Section: Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
