Australian mayors speak out on treatment of asylum seekers
Mayors and local councils across Australia are launching a campaign aimed at the Federal Government's treatment of people seeking asylum who live in the community.
The Back Your Neighbour Campaign is holding its national launch this morning with speakers and attendees from around Australia. It is auspiced by the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum.
Estimates put the number of people at well over 100,000, including children, with some households living in limbo for almost a decade while their applications are processed.
During this time, people are denied access to funded safety nets such as Medicare, income support, housing, education, mental health and material aid.
This approach prevents individuals and families from gaining the stability that refugee status provides, resulting in vulnerable people living in poverty for years.
Taskforce Chair and Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Jim Memeti, said this was a cruel and unreasonable approach.
"People need stability and support while they build their lives in the community. That means a fast and efficient process for assessing asylum applications and support in the meantime to help people survive."
"Greater Dandenong has a high number of people seeking asylum living in our community and we see how hard it is for them every day. It puts pressure on council services and local charities are stretched to breaking point because of cost-shifting from federal to state and local governments. It is time for Minister Hawke and the Federal Government to act."
"As Mayor, I see the benefits of multiculturalism first hand. Our community in Dandenong embraces people from every corner of the world and that's one of the reasons why it is such a great place to live."
"Instead of making people struggle to survive, we should be welcoming them into local communities around Australia and sharing the great things that happen as a result."
The Back Your Neighbour Campaign will be active in the lead-up to the 2022 Federal Election and will advocate with all federal politicians and candidates.
