By Molly Magennis
Maribyrnong council is calling on the federal government to increase and strengthen its humanitarian responsibilities towards Afghan refugees.
In a notice of motion raised at the November 16 council meeting, council called on the Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne to increase Australia’s capacity and speed to evacuate as many people as possible at risk in Afghanistan.
Council is also calling on the federal government to increase Australia’s resettlement places for Afghan refugees to match Canada’s offer of 20,000 additional places.
As a culturally diverse community home to 90 Afghan-born residents and recognised as an official Refugee Welcome Zone, councillor Sarah Carter said it was Maribyrnong’s responsibility to call for more action.
“There is a sentiment because we are, as has been said, a community of refugees, many refugees, that willingness to embrace a broader and more ambitious program and I think there is a mandate in our community to do that,” she said.
“What I would say is that the federal government does not make for a good community or humanitarian program, communities make for an effective humanitarian program.”
“It’s communities that wrap around newly arrived refugees and their families, its communities that provide a sense of place and connection, so we are well placed to do it and to do it better than it’s being currently done.”
Cr Michael Clark agreed and said it was about doing the right thing.
“We need to help those people who at the moment cannot help themselves.”
