Refugee advocacy groups in the Blue Mountains have had the opportunity to raise their issues with the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles at a meeting held by the Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman. 

Ms Templeman said this was the first time since coming to government that the Minister has been able to update the groups on the work the Albanese Government is doing in this area.

“We have three very active groups -  the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group, Rural Australians for Refugees, and Grandmothers for Refugees - whose emails and requests I have been regularly discussing with the Minister.

“While we’ve made many significant improvements, including moving people on temporary protection visas (TPVs) and safe haven enterprise visas (SHEVs) who arrived by boat before 2014 to permanent visas, and moving the last refugee from offshore processing on Nauru, we know there is much more to do. 

“The recent meeting was a chance for our local groups to share their concerns directly with the Minister on issues like access to work rights and education for refugees and asylum seekers.”

Minister Giles and Ms Templeman also met with two Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) groups, and the El Salvadorian and Iranian refugees they are supporting. 

“The community refugee pilot, where a group of people make a financial and time commitment, is an incredible way for locals to provide practical support to a refugee or refugee family and help them find their feet in Australia. 

“It will be invaluable to follow the progress of these big-hearted groups as they take part in the program, which I hope will be just the start.”

ENDS

FRIDAY 21 JULY 2023