By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Twenty-one councils from NSW and Victoria have joined City of Greater Dandenong’s campaign against income cuts to asylum seekers in the community.
The councils, led by Greater Dandenong, launched Back Your Neighbour in Carlton on 4 December.
Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades said it was a call for all Australians to “back your neighbour, back your mate, back your colleague and back people arriving in our communities fleeing war and persecution”.
The campaign opposes the Australian Government cutting people assessed as “work ready” from $35-a-day Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS) payments.
It is thought the changes would directly impact most of the nearly-2000 asylum seekers living in Greater Dandenong, forcing children, families and single adults into destitution and homelessness.
“We are all very concerned for the welfare of people seeking asylum and the impact these changes will have, not only financially, but also on their health and wellbeing,” Cr Blades said.
Since World War II, 800,000 refugees have arrived in Australia. Many had contributed to the community on every level such as sport, medicine, law, science, research and foods, Cr Blades argued.
“We are calling on Australians to tell the Federal Government that we don’t need to cut the SRSS program. We don’t need to put many people – who might otherwise become our doctors, nurses, lawyers, colleagues, friends and neighbours – out on the streets.”
The campaign highlights asylum seekers giving back to the community. Figures such as life-saver Ramzi Hussaini, charity cook Nayran Tabiei and photographer Zia Atahi.
Victorian Local Governance Association president Marg Attley said the cuts put vulnerable people at further risk of homelessness, social isolation and access to vital services.
“For many decades’ migrants, and those who came to Australia fleeing war and prosecution, have contributed to the social fabric of our society.
“They made our country what it is today – they are our friends, colleagues, and neighbours and they deserve our support.”
In July, Greater Dandenong held a mayoral roundtable on the issue. It was attended by 18 Victorian councils, the Refugee Council of Australia, Monash Health and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
It led to the establishment of a mayoral taskforce, chaired by Cr Blades.
Details: backyourneighbour.com.au or facebook.com/backyourneighbour
