Hobsons Bay Refugee Network has expressed alarm at rumours of asylum seekers being called by government staff and informed they may have to return to their homeland.
Network co-founder Ann Morrow said the level of fear was palpable among asylum seekers, particularly those whose visas had expired.
“We heard, through our refugee networks, that the federal government was preparing to ‘round up’ people whose visas had expired, which is most of our friends, because the government has not been processing visas,” she said.
“The effective freeze on the processing of pre-July 19, 2013 visa applicants has generated rumour, depression and mental breakdown among people who are uncertain of their likely future.”
Ms Morrow said mental health issues were also evident among “boat people” on “no advantage” visas who were living on as little as $3 a day and prohibited from working. “Nearly all the women we’ve befriended are using anti-depressants,” she said. “We have tailors, mechanics, engineers, chefs, butchers, artists, photographers, and other professional and skilled people who are prevented from using their abilities.
“Many of these people once had some social standing in the countries from which they’ve fled; their status has been reduced to that of mendicants.”
The network is hosting a film fund-raiser at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre on Friday, July 4, with a screening of the Clint Eastwood film Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Pre-session drinks are from 6.30pm, with the screening at 7pm.
Money raised from tickets will be used to buy reconditioned washing machines for asylum seekers.
For information about the fund-raiser, contact Bek Ayres at hbrnevents@gmail.com or phone Neil Tolliday on 0402 817 673.
