By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong – along with 19 other Victorian councils – has formally presented its plea for more federal funding for asylum seekers living in the community.
Campaign spearhead councillor Roz Blades has vowed to “stay with it” after she and Greater Dandenong Mayor Sean O’Reilly presented the joint statement to federal MP and social services assistant minister Mitch Fifield this month.
Cr Blades said she hoped that extra funding would be provided in next year’s Federal Budget.
“I’m reasonably confident because I’m really good at nagging.”
Cr O’Reilly sought to present and discuss the statement with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in Canberra last week, but was unable to get an appointment.
The statement was also presented to Isaacs MP and opposition attorney-general Mark Dreyfus.
The councils seek more funding for aid, statistics, social inclusion, services co-ordination, housing and education for asylum seekers – of whom more than 3600 live in Dandenong and its surrounds.
According to a statement from Greater Dandenong council, the provision of asylum seeker services is increasingly falling on councils and community groups.
There is a “genuine risk” that asylum seeker programs will fail to meet the needs – if demand for resources continues to grow, the statement said.
Senator Fifield said he discussed with Cr O’Reilly the “vibrant and culturally diverse community”.
“I also advised the council that the Government provides funding for a range of support services for migrants and refugees living in the community.
“As I understand, the council… will submit their statement directly to the relevant state and federal ministers with responsibility for refugee and settlement services.”
Mr Dreyfus intends to address Parliament on the issue on 22 June, and raise the matter with federal colleagues.
“I proudly support the key aims of the statement, to provide fair and appropriate support for asylum seekers and refugees in our community.
“Unlike the Abbott Government which has slashed funding for social services and emergency relief in the Greater Dandenong community, I am committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community are looked after.”
According to government statistics released in December, there are 1632 asylum seekers on bridging E visas living in Dandenong – the highest for any suburb in Australia.
Nearly another 2000 live in surrounding suburbs such as Doveton, Noble Park and Springvale.
