Released 25/07/2017
Each year on 20 June, we celebrate World Refugee Day and take time to reflect on the lives of people seeking refuge from conflict and persecution across the world.
Canberra has welcomed more than 2,000 refugees to our community in the last 10 years and the ACT was declared a Refugee Welcome Zone during Refugee Week in 2015.
Over the past two years, more people have been forced from their home due to conflict and violations of human rights than at any time since World War II.
On World Refugee Day and throughout Refugee Week, we recognise the work of local organisations that support refugees to settle into our community, including Companion House, Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT, ACT Multicultural Youth Services and Canberra Refugee Support.
I particularly commend the hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life who work with these organisations and through other community groups to welcome new refugees from around the world.
In 2016, the ACT was included in the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa Scheme, which offers increased hope and certainty to humanitarian entrants who currently live in Canberra.
This week, ACT Government officials will be working alongside the Refugee Council of Australia and officials from local governments across the country to discuss how we can build on our commitment to being a Refugee Welcome Zone and ensuring our Canberra community is welcoming to all.
I encourage all Canberrans to attend the World Refugee Day breakfast on Thursday, or signing up to volunteer with one of the many organisations that do so much to support Canberra’s refugee community.
Find out more here http://www.refugeeweek.org.au/.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases