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SydWest urges migration to reflect Australian values [Talent Alert]

SydWest

Key Facts:

• SydWest has voiced strong concern over the Coalition's proposal to cut Australia's annual humanitarian intake by 50%, warning it would significantly impact people fleeing persecution.
• The proposal comes amid record global displacement, with the reduction limiting opportunities for vulnerable people to rebuild their lives in safety.
• CEO Elfa Moraitakis has called for a more informed, evidence-based discussion about Australia's migration future, focusing on long-term national interests rather than short-term targets.
• Reducing the humanitarian intake would affect everyday services Australians rely on, as refugees and migrants work across almost every sector of the economy, including healthcare, aged care, and small businesses.
• Ms Moraitakis is urging policymakers to ensure future migration and humanitarian settings reflect Australia's values of a fair go, inclusion, and shared opportunity.

SydWest has voiced strong concern over the Coalition's proposal to reduce Australia's annual humanitarian intake by 50%, warning the move would significantly impact people fleeing persecution and indirectly impact Australian residents.

The proposal comes amid record global displacement, with millions of people worldwide seeking safety from conflict, with this proposed severe reduction limiting opportunities for vulnerable people to rebuild their lives in safety.

CEO Elfa Moraitakis said “we are calling for a more informed and evidence-based discussion about Australia's migration future, focusing on long-term national interests, economic needs and humanitarian responsibilities, not short-term migration targets.”

Ms Moraitakis also notes that significantly reducing Australia’s humanitarian intake would affect the everyday services that Australian’s enjoy or need so greatly. 

Refugees and migrants work across almost every sector of the Australian economy. They are our nurses, aged care workers, small business owners, cooks, café staff, machine operators, drivers, teaches, social workers, doctors, and IT professionals.

Australia has a proud history of providing protection to people in need, and Ms Moraitakis is urging policymakers to ensure future migration and humanitarian settings reflect the nation's values of a fair-go, inclusion, and shared opportunity.

About us:

SydWest is a not-for-profit community services organisation working alongside newly arrived migrants and refugees, seniors, people with disability, young people, and families, to support them to connect with their community and belong in Sydney.

Contact details:

Peter Skarparis

Head of Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

(02) 9621 6633

0434403273

sydwestms.org.au