Dear Prime Minister Abbott and Immigration Minister Morrison,
The City of Greater Dandenong needs a helping hand.
Our city is home to Victoria’s largest concentration of refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have fled persecution and need and deserve our compassion and protection.
Their presence has made our community a rich, multi-cultural tapestry, but it is also putting intolerable strain on the charities, churches and generous individuals who are doing their best to meet the needs of families struggling to cover the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing and education.
Our community responds with open hearts and hands when it comes to looking after those less fortunate, but there is a limit to our capacity to care.
The Journal supports the City of Greater Dandenong’s campaign for more resources to support the newest and most disadvantaged members of our community.
We have the ability and expertise here to look after some of the world’s most vulnerable people, but we need more help from your government.
We urge you to respond positively to Greater Dandenong’s submission for help, which has the support of peak local government bodies in Victoria.
Your refugee policies are not what is in question. Our concern is how we support and look after people once they are here.
Yours sincerely,
Dandenong Journal
