Two Iranian asylum seekers who fled to Australia via Indonesia are pleading to be allowed to work instead of living on federal government and community handouts.
Werribee’s Akbar, Sara (not their real names) and their two children are on bridging visas, living on 89 per cent of Australia’s lowest dole payment. They cannot work.
Sara was six months pregnant when she embarked on an eight-day boat journey to Australia with 85 others. Akbar said the boat’s motor broke and people jumped into the ocean to help push it and get the boat started again.
The Hobsons Bay Refugee Network (HBRN), which helps asylum seekers find and furnish affordable accommodation, helped them rent a house in Werribee.
After paying rent, Akbar says the family of four has $63 a fortnight. He and his wife are desperate to work.
“I want the government to cut my government-paid money, and I go outside to work,” Akbar said.
AMES spokesman Laurie Nowell said about 30,000 people nationwide languished on a bridging visa, many living in the community but denied the right to work since August 13 last year.
Last month, the Weekly reported that the HBRN was so overwhelmed by donations of furniture and electrical items that it was in dire need of storage and transport.
Ann Morrow, who founded the network with fellow Williamstown resident Dorothy Page, said that following the Weekly report, Hobsons Bay councillor Sandra Wilson and Seaholme resident George Said had helped to source storage space at Laverton.
Mr Said said he had wanted to help because he experienced persecution in his homeland.
“In 1956 I was 23 years old and married to Maroula and we had an 18-month-old baby. ‘‘The military put us under house arrest and deported us from Egypt for being British subjects. We ended up at London airport without any money to pay for a taxi. Six years later we came to Australia as boat people.”
A fund-raiser screening of One Chance will be held at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre on November 8 at 7pm, with proceeds to buy reconditioned washing machines for asylum- seeker families.
» email morrowann8@gmail.com or call 9397 6000.
