Refugee Welcome Zone Leadership Council
Blacktown City is a refugee welcome zone leadership Council.
Refugee Welcome Zones are an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia, Australia's peak refugee support organisation.
Blacktown City Council, as a Refugee Welcome Zone has made a commitment in spirit to:
- welcoming refugees into the community,
- upholding the human rights of refugees,
- demonstrating compassion for refugees and
- enhancing cultural and religious diversity in the community.
The pledge is to welcome refugees into the Blacktown City community, to further support the important work that needs to be done in creating a culture of welcome and understanding for those displaced by war and persecution.
Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum
Blacktown City Council is an executive member of the Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum. Led by Greater Dandenong City Council, is made up of over 40 Councils nationwide, who are collectively advocating for fairness and safety for community members seeking protection.
The Taskforce’s purpose is to coordinate joint state-wide advocacy by Australian Local Government Councils and share resources and practical responses, which impact our residents seeking asylum. The taskforce has been advocating for the rights of people seeking asylum to the Federal and State Government.
On 3 December 2018, the Taskforce launched the Back Your Neighbour campaign. The campaign symbolises a unified approach with Councils together with community ambassadors to advocate for a fairer and swifter Refugee Status Determination system.
The Back Your Neighbour campaign calls on the Federal Government to:
- provide people with a valid visa with work, travel and study rights.
- expand the support program eligibility criteria and simplify the application so that people in need can access health care, accommodation support and other essential services.
- ensure an independent, timely and fair humanitarian application and review.
- provide people refused protection under the ‘Fast Track’ system a fair review.
- continue to clear the backlog of asylum applications and appeals.
- abolish temporary visas and replace them with permanent protection pathways to citizenship for all humanitarian arrivals.
How can you help?
Stand up for our neighbours who need certainty and stability to rebuild their lives and sign the petition here.
For more information about the initiatives, please contact Community Development on 02 9839 6203 or Community.Development@blacktown.nsw.gov.au.
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) - Funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, provides free English lessons and childcare to eligible migrants and refugees.
https://www.tafensw.edu.au/programs/adult-migrant-english-program
Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA) - Runs a number of ongoing programs for young people, refugees, and migrants in a supportive and inclusive environment.
https://www.meca.org.au/
NSW Refugee Health Service (RHS) - Is a state-wide service, funded by the Ministry of Health. It provides a range of clinical services and medical assessments for recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers.
https://www.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/refugee/#/
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) - Is one of the leading charities in Australia working directly with refugees and asylum seekers, supporting them to rebuild their lives.
https://www.startts.org.au/
Service NSW Support and guidance for new arrivals -Book a new arrivals appointment.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/book-a-new-arrivals-appointment
Settlement Services International (SSI) - Is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential.
https://www.ssi.org.au/
SydWest Multicultural Services - Works with humanitarian entrants and new arrivals
https://sydwestms.org.au/services/settlement/