By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has joined 30 other councils across the nation, which are calling on the federal government to ensure asylum seekers are provided with a “liveable income”.
The Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum has started the Back Your Neighbour Campaign, to protest against proposed cuts to the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) program.
The Back Your Neighbour website said that earlier this year, the federal government outlined a plan to cut SRSS support for up to 7000 people who have come to Australia seeking asylum.
The SSRS scheme provides payments to asylum seekers living in the community while the federal government finalises their protection claim.
“Without these support programs, thousands of people seeking asylum will become homeless or destitute, forcing them to use already overstretched council and charity sector services,” the Back Your Neighbour Campaign website says.
Along with Wyndham council, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Hume councils have joined the campaign.
Other organisations supporting the campaign include Anglicare Victoria, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Council to Homeless Persons and Women’s Health West.
Wyndham’s cultural diversity portfolio holder, Cr Henry Barlow, said: “Council is calling on the federal government to ensure a liveable income for those awaiting the decision on their asylum claims and is asking the state governments to provide financial support.
“This program (the SRSS) offers accommodation, financial support, healthcare, education access and the provision of a caseworker while families await the federal government’s decision.
“There are over 5000 people seeking asylum across Australia, including Wyndham, who have no limited work opportunities and need the financial support in order to provide food for their families.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic has made deepened their financial crisis because their casual work has dried up and they are not eligible for Centrelink benefits.”
After the federal government made initial cuts to the SRSS last year, the state government stepped in to provide $3 million to help asylum seekers living in Victoria.
Cr Barlow said Wyndham residents could sign the Back Your Neighbour petition, urging the federal government to not make further cuts to the SRSS program, especially during National Refugee Week (June 14 to 20).
Go to backyourneighbour.com.au for details.
