It’s time to stand up for our neighbours, friends and local communities who need certainty, stability and support to rebuild their lives.
Australians support each other in hard times and we are asking the Federal Government to play its part in creating a community where we are all respected.
Australia is keeping 10,000 people living in limbo while their applications for asylum are stuck in a broken system.
This cruel approach prevents individuals and families from gaining the stability that refugee status provides. The result is vulnerable people living on the edge for years.
People seeking asylum who live in the community are also denied access to a number of critical support services such as healthcare, income support, public housing, homelessness, education, mental health and material aid.
This leaves highly vulnerable individuals and families with nothing to survive on but help from local charities and councils.
The Federal Government has a responsibility to process asylum claims quickly and to support to people until they can move forward with their lives in a positive way.
We must support our neighbours, friends and community members who urgently need certainty and support to rebuild their lives safely.
Zia escaped the Taliban.
Now he helps disadvantaged young people in Dandenong find their voice.
Nayran fled Syria with her family during the civil war.
Now she cooks meals for people sleeping rough and older people.
Ramzi was separated from his family as a child fleeing war.
Now he saves lives on Victoria’s beaches.