Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Madeleine Ogilvie has repeated the call for Tasmania to do as much as it can in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
“We must deal with the complex issue of those needing our protection by giving expression to our Tasmanian values of compassion, fairness and generosity,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“I welcome the Premier’s announcement today, of 500 people to be assisted, but note it does not go far enough.
“I call on the Premier to commit to providing the services and support which Labor has enshrined in our policy platform, including but not limited to funding legal aid for asylum seeker services. Asylum seekers must have access to appropriate, independent, government funded legal advice while working through their claims for protection.
“Translation services, funding for education, English language tuition and social services must be provided and ongoing.
“The Premier must lobby the new Prime Minister to commit to ensure all asylum seeker visas are processed within the 90 day rule, and seek to have the Immigration Act amended to reinsert the 90 day processing rule.
“The announcement of a cap of 500 on those we might assist from Syria is an arbitrary figure. We can do so much more.”
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
