Ararat Rural City Council wants residents to get loud and stand up for people seeking asylum in Australia as part of the national Back Your Neighbour campaign.
ARCC is a member of the Mayoral and Councillor Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum that is leading the campaign to advocate to the Federal Government for fairer refugee policies.
ARCC Mayor Councillor Bob Sanders said there were around 8,000 men, women and children who have sought refuge in Australia, but their immigration status was in limbo.
"Many have lived, worked and contributed to their communities for many years, yet remain without certainty about their future," said Cr Sanders. "Without permanent status, people are often denied access to essential services such as health care, income support, safe housing and crisis support, leaving vulnerable individuals and families at risk of poverty and destitution."
Cr Sanders said a loud community voice was essential to drive change and encouraged residents to join Council in its advocacy for the Federal Government to meet people's basic needs, provide certainty, and create pathways to permanency.
"Ararat Rural City Council is part of this Taskforce because we believe in backing people seeking asylum, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because our community has been enriched by people who have come here from other countries," he said. "We need our community to help us get loud and send a clear message that leaving people in limbo for years is not acceptable."
Residents can make a difference by doing the following:
- Emailing the Immigration Minister and their local MP to call for certainty and stability.
- Signing a petition urging Immigration Minister to meet basic needs and offer permanent solutions.
- Following the campaign on Facebook and Instagram, sharing pledge posters and using the hashtag #BackYourNeighbour.
- Endorsing the campaign as an organisation or community group.
For campaign links and templates go to the top banner on the homepage at www.ararat.vic.gov.au
