Working group formed to respond to refugee crisis

Following a very successful forum on Tuesday, a new working group has been established to lead Tasmania’s response to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and Europe.

Labor Leader Bryan Green has commended community leaders on their willingness to donate their time and skills to this urgent cause.

“We’ve been able to help facilitate an impressive working group made up of a diverse range of highly skilled community leaders,” Mr Green said.

“Representatives from advocacy groups, charity organisations, unions and local government will work together on Tasmania’s response.

“The guiding principle will be a desire to be as generous and compassionate as possible.

“Tasmania is well placed to open its doors to a significant proportion of the 12,000 refugees accepted by the Federal Government.

“We want the rest of the world to know that Tasmania is ready and able to help in a time of crisis.

“The non-political working group is uniquely placed to advise politicians of all colours on how Tasmania can best respond to the humanitarian tragedy.”

The working group consists of:

Father Shammi Perera (Catholic Church)
Ms Christina Booth (Loves Makes A Way)
Mr Bernard Saunders/Mrs Toni Muir (St Vincent De Paul)
Ms Catherine Viney (Baptcare)
Mr Alphonse Mulumba (Multicultural Council of Tasmania)
Ms Josie Young (Hobart City Council)
Ms Kym Goodes (TasCOSS)
Ms Therese Taylor (Colony 47)
Ms Alison O’Neill (Migrant Resource Centre)
Mr Noel Mundy (Mission Australia)
Mr Tim Jacobson (HACSU)
Mr Steve Walsh (Unions Tasmania)
Mayor Tony Foster (Brighton Council)
Mayor Kristie Johnston (Glenorchy Council)

*An Alderman from the Hobart City Council is also expected to be part of the working group.

Other organisations and individuals have expressed an interest in working alongside the group in a consulting capacity.
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader