AMES welcomes rise in refugee intake

A LOCAL settlement services provider has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to increase the refugee intake program.
AMES CEO and Board Member of the Migration Council of Australia Catherine Scarth, said that the sector has sufficient resources and infrastructure in place to support the increase.
AMES, a multicultural specialist with a site in Noble Park, provides assistance to newly arrived refugees and migrants.
“Record numbers of former refugees are volunteering to add practical and emotional support to new arrivals,” she said.
“They share cultural backgrounds, they understand the experience of arriving and adapting to local customs and more importantly they understand the desire to quickly establish and build a better future in Australia.”
The Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, released on 13 August, included 22 key recommendations on policy options to prevent asylum seekers risking their lives coming to Australia by boat.
A key recommendation from the report included increasing Australia’s refugee intake from 13,752 to 27,000 over five years.
Ms Scarth said Australia and the greater community had a strong history of protecting and supporting the world’s most vulnerable people
“First, second and third generation Australians are welcoming new arrivals, we see this every day as over 2000 dedicated AMES volunteers in Melbourne help our clients find their feet and get started,” she said.
“AMES looks forward to working with government to continue delivering high quality services and outcomes and to maintaining our international reputation providing refugees the best possible start as they begin their lives in Australia.”