Alderman Jeff Briscoe said today that at the next Hobart City Council meeting he would be asking the Council to facilitate creating a network of local Southern Councils that could provide voluntary services to the families of the 400 male asylum seekers about to arrive in Tasmania.
The men will be housed in Pontville in Brighton but their families (women and children) be housed through out Hobart in private accommodation (if it can be found). The total numbers of refugees could be upwards of 1000 people.
“Whatever we personally think of the various ways people who seek asylum have arrived in Australia – we as a community should make a firm statement that we are a welcoming community and we value their human rights. Councils could set an example and encourage current householders to provide short term accommodation, provide activities and services for their families.”
“Many, if not all of these people will be granted asylum in Australia and the way they are treated now is important”.
“In my view there is an obligation on us to ensure there is co-ordination of voluntary services between the southern councils.
The Hobart City Council itself has a number of venues and services that could be made available. Current services provided by the non government sector will be strained with this large influx of people.
Background
The motion to HCC will be presented by Alderman Briscoe on the 27 May
