Page 945 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2018
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Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (12.26): I thank Mr Rattenbury for bringing forward the motion before us today. I rise on behalf of the ACT Labor members of this place to indicate our full support for this motion. Ensuring that some of the most vulnerable members of our community have the support they need to find a home, build a life and make a fresh start is a key demonstration of any government’s values. Over the years in this place we have debated and discussed appropriate support for refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian entrants in our city and our nation.
Today I wish to touch on what we do as a jurisdiction, as well as outlining the consequences of some federal government policies and rhetoric in this area. I also wish to concur wholeheartedly with Minister Rattenbury’s opening remarks about the contribution that refugees, asylum seekers, humanitarian entrants and other migrants have made to our city and our region. They strengthen our community. I think that is something we all in this place agree on.
As Mr Rattenbury’s motion outlines, there are significant limitations on how the federal government supports refugees and asylum seekers. That is a shame for many reasons. It is a shame because these people are vulnerable. It is a shame because it belies the goodwill in the community, the willingness to help refugees and asylum seekers that I see in my fellow Canberrans and in so many of my fellow Australians. And it is a shame because we know it could be so much better. It is not hard for a government to work constructively with our migrant and refugee communities and the community organisations that support them.
The ACT has a strong history of recognising the value that our refugee and migrant communities bring to our city. I have previously remarked that supporting refugees is the just and right thing to do. We have all heard the stories of those who came to Canberra seeking a better, safer life for themselves and their families.
There is probably no greater praise for our city and our nation that that we offer people hope and safety. The ACT government has a longstanding commitment to improving its services and demonstrating its commitment to refugees and asylum seekers. The ACT multicultural framework articulates the ACT government’s ongoing commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers who settle in our community. We have introduced an ACT services access card to provide smooth access to a suite of ACT government services, to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers do not have to retell their story and experience their trauma again and again.
As Minister Rattenbury notes, we were the first Australian jurisdiction to be declared a refugee welcome zone. Last year we built on those efforts to welcome refugees by hosting members from refugee welcome zones across Australia to a forum in Canberra. In 2016 the ACT also joined the safe haven enterprise visa scheme, again to provide hope and stability to asylum seekers and others who have chosen to make Canberra their home.
We know evidence demonstrates that a lack of English language skills and meaningful employment is a barrier to resettling successfully in a new community.
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