2020-06-15
In marking National Refugee Week this week, The ACT Greens today have called on the Federal Government to bring refugees trapped in offshore detention to Australia, including to the ACT which is a Refugee Welcome Zone.
“The Greens believe that seeking asylum is a humanitarian issue that obliges us all to treat those seeking asylum with compassion and dignity,” ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said today.
“While we reckon with the COVID pandemic here at home, we must not forget the plight of those languishing in Australia’s offshore detention centres. The Manus Island and Nauru offshore detention centres are unsafe and inappropriate places to house refugees, including children.
“In recent weeks, dozens of refugees who have spent years in Australia’s offshore processing regime have been flown to the United States for resettlement.
“It’s Australia’s refugee policy that leaves refugees languishing in offshore detention. It’s Australia’s problem, and the ACT can be part of Australia’s solution.
“As the only state or territory that has declared itself a Refugee Welcome Zone, the ACT has a proud record of supporting refugees and asylum seekers. We can simply bring them here, to Australia, to the ACT, where our community will welcome and support them.
“The Australian Government has spent billions of taxpayer dollars keeping offshore refugees away from this country. This situation is cruel and unsustainable. It is well past time for the Federal Government’s damaging, cruel and inhumane policy to end.”
Mainul Haque, ACT Greens Multicultural Affairs Spokesperson said, “refugees contribute enormously to this country, and to our city. Those in offshore processing centres on Manus and Nauru are people seeking asylum, as is their right. I know that the broader community here in the ACT is a warm and welcoming one that will rise up to support those in need."
A recent report from refugee advocates found that offshore detention costs Australian taxpayers as much as $573,000 a person each year.
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.
In 2015, the ACT Government made a commitment to resettle 250 refugees from the Federal Government’s one-off Syrian and Iraqi refugee intake.
In 2017, the ACT Legislative Assembly voted in favour of a Greens motion, offering to take our share of refugees in offshore detention on Manus Island and Nauru. This offer stands.