Councils across Australia are welcoming new citizens into their community by adopting refugee friendly policies to stop racism.
In the wake of refugee week, held this year from June 15 to June 21, the number of Local governments signed on as Refugee Welcome Zones has increased to 99.
Hawkesbury City Council is one of multiple councils who have signed up as a Refugee Welcome Zone this year.
Mayor of Hawkesbury Councillor Kim Ford signed the document last month.
“I am honoured to be given the responsibility to sign this important document and recognise Council’s support of our Refugee community.
“Whilst the refugee and asylum seeker community in the Hawkesbury is quite small, this action demonstrates Council’s support for the many diverse groups that choose to call the Hawkesbury home.”
Colac Otway Shire Council has also become a Refugee Welcome Zone this year.
The then Chief Executive Officer Rob Small said there were a number of reasons for this decision.
“Part of which is that we’re promoting harmony, social cohesion and respect for human rights in the local community.
“Through this we’re taking a strong stand against racism and discrimination; and we’re raising awareness about the issues affecting refugees and fostering a culture of mutual respect and promoting an appreciation of diversity.”
The Refugee Welcome Zone initiative began in June 2002 with 15 Councils and Shires across Victoria and New South Wales initially signing up.
The commitment is not specific as to what a council must do to welcome refugees, but rather a broad declaration.
It is “a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into our community, upholding the human rights of refugees, demonstrating compassion for refugees and enhancing cultural and religious diversity in our community”.
A research paper released by the Refugee Council of Australia last year detailed the specific policies that councils have implemented to support signing in as Refugee Welcome Zones.
Examples include:
The City of Marion celebrates Harmony Day and has developed a Community Connections Guide for those whose native language isn’t English understand council’s roles and services.
In 2013 Palmerston City Council hosted a group of Gyuto Monks, originally refugees from Tibet, after signing the commitment.
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has had a long history as a refugee settlement area and signed on in 2013.
TRC has run many successful programs such as many English education classes, and regular support of cultural events including South Sudanese independence celebrations, Indian Diwail and Fiji Day.
Launceston City Council has operated with many other groups such as the University of Tasmania and the Migrant Resource Centre to facilitate its Social Inclusion program and the Launceston Safer Communities Partnership.
Multiple Victorian Local Governments have taken a further step and banded together to submit to the Federal Government the Joint Statement by Victorian Local Governments on Asylum Seekers.
The statement was drafted by the City of Darebin and commits to welcoming asylum seekers to their community while condemning the actions of the federal Government.
From the statement:
“We call on the Australian Government to abandon its harsh policies and practices in dealing with asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat, and restore Australia’s international reputation and record on human rights.”
In particular the statement requests asylum seekers be processed on shore, granting work rights, abolish the temporary protection visa policy, provide access to settlement services and invest in a humanitarian community based processing model.
It also request the Federal government stop using the term ‘illegal arrivals’, to remove the implication that asylum seekers have broken the law by coming to Australia without a visa to seek asylum.
The previous federal government had re-opened the Nauru and Manus Island detention centers for offshore processing prior to the 2013 election.
Since the election of the Abbott Government in 2013, Australia has adopted strict border policies including the turning back of asylum seekers vessels attempting to land.
While the program has been successful in reducing the number of asylum seekers, offshore processing camps have received widespread criticism from organisations such as the United Nations as to the conditions these people are being kept in.
The statement has since been signed by more than 10 other councils, including the City of Port Phillip.
Port Phillip Councillor Jane Touzeau moved the motion at a recent council meeting, and told Council she was grateful for the support on the issue.
“There is so much false press and information on this matter.
“I think our society is in a dangerous moment and I hope we will get out of it.”
The statement will be presented to the federal government this month.
Hobsons Bay City Council has also signed the statement.
Mayor Sandra Wilson said signing the statement is in keeping with the principles endorsed in the Refugee Welcome Zone declaration.
“By signing the statement, the Council is reaffirming its commitment to welcome refugees, uphold human rights, demonstrate compassion for refugees and enhance cultural and religious diversity in the community.
“It is important that we provide a safe and welcoming environment for asylum seekers, migrants and refugees and provide them with an opportunity to become a part of our local community and have access to essential services.”
