Last week, The Irrigator ran an article with councillor Maytom outlining how council had joined a special taskforce that was 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. 

When the story was posted to The Irrigator’s Facebook page, many were quick to comment and disagree with council’s decision. 

Several stated they didn’t want more refugees and asylum seekers coming to Leeton, which Cr Maytom said wasn’t the point of the original article. 

Other comments were leaning towards the racist and bigoted side of the argument. 

Cr Maytom said he would always be an advocate for human compassion, no matter a person’s race, and asked the community to remember that. 

“This wasn’t about ‘bringing more refugees’ to town … it was about advocating on behalf of others because if we don’t, it’s a tremendous rights issue,” he said. 

“I do get some people coming up to me and asking me why ‘I’m bringing these people to town’, but that’s not we are doing. 

“What we are doing is supporting these people when they come to Leeton.

We’re helping them to do a whole range of things.”

Council doesn’t give migrants or refugees financial support, but points them in the right direction of services, includes them in the Leeton Multicultural Group and helps them to make connections. 

Cr Maytom said most were positive about what Leeton was doing in terms of assisting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees return to a “normal” life after in  many cases overcoming turmoil and tragedy. 

“I have many positive comments from not just residents, but visitors to our town that are pleased about what we are doing … we want to be an inclusive community,” he said. 

“That’s not something I will back away from.”

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