MIGRANTS and refugees seeking asylum are being supported by a special taskforce, which now has the support of Leeton.
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Leeton Shire Council has become a member of the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum.
The organisation has been formed in response to the federal government withdrawing all income support for hundreds of people seeking asylum, but are already living in communities such as Leeton.
These asylum seekers are having to continue to wait to have their claims for refugee status assessed.
“Individuals, including local people, have already experienced having their benefits cut, causing great financial and psychological distress,” Leeton shire mayor Paul Maytom said.
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“The federal government plan is to cut support for thousands more, including families.”
“The Local Government Mayoral Taskforce is working with peak bodies like the Refugee Council of Australia, Asylum Seeker Refugee Centre, Australian Refugee Action Network and Rural Australians for Refugees to maintain advocacy on this issue.”
As an official Refugee Welcome Zone, council has already made a commitment to welcoming refugees into the community, upholding their human rights and demonstrating compassion for them.
“In Leeton shire we also know how much refugees contribute meaningfully to our workforce needs,” councillor Maytom said.
“This is an opportunity to join with other local councils to advocate for the reversal of these cuts and the reinstatement of income support for the benefit of people in Leeton and the wider community.”
There is no direct cost to council for participating.
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