ACT Legislative Assembly Speaker Wayne Berry today welcomed the support of the ACT Legislative Assembly for his motion to declare the ACT refugee friendly.
Mr Berry said, “Our National Anthem contains the following -
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
‘Canberra is a compassionate community and this motion gives us the opportunity to promote that.
‘My aim is to work to reunite our community around people escaping tyranny, people seeking refuge and security from oppression and to wind back the debate from community division which some have sought to engender. I want us all to hold out our hearts and hands to embrace these people.
“In Australia we have the benefits of an open, safe, democratic society, we have supported many joining us in the past to share those benefits and our society has grown richer because of migration.
“Too many people suffer under dictatorship and tyranny. For those people health, education and personal security are dreams. These people know the terror of murder, rape, political detention without trial and torture - horrors which we fortunately do not have to suffer here. We need to reach out and welcome them into our community.
‘I acknowledge that the ACT Government provides free public school education, free medical treatment at ACT public hospitals and medical facilities, concessions on government services like electricity, public transport, dental care and access to translating and interpreting assistance. The government has also improved settlement conditions for refugees and offers free access to the Canberra Institute of Technology’s English Language classes to ACT based refugees holding temporary protection visas.
“It is however most welcome that Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has agreed to review services available to refugees with the view to measuring government compliance with the sentiments of the Assembly’s declaration,” Mr Berry said.
‘Today’s declaration sends a strong message reaffirming that – the Australian Capital Territory is Refugee Friendly - and makes it clear to all that we welcome refugees.