After a turbulent week for asylum seekers, with the announcement of cuts to Australia’s humanitarian intake then the reversal by the Prime Minister, who announced the figure of 20,000 humanitarian places will not change; the Churches Refugee Taskforce wrote to the Prime Minister thanking him for his intervention, and produced a short video expressing gratitude.
Dear Prime Minister,
We write as Christian leaders from churches and communities across Australia to say thank you.
Thank you for your intervention to provide clarity last week and to provide reassurance that Australia’s humanitarian intake will not go backwards. Thank you too for standing with refugees at a time of considerable pressure to reduce migration.
In a world experiencing unprecedented displacement, every place Australia offers to a person seeking refuge is needed and welcome. For 20,000 people each year, our humanitarian program means safety, the chance to rebuild a life, and the possibility of calling Australia home.
We want you to know that there are Christians and churches across Australia who welcome your decision and support a strong and generous refugee program.
For Christians, this commitment is deeply rooted in our faith. Scripture repeatedly calls us to welcome the stranger and care for those who have been displaced. We remember, too, that Jesus himself was carried across a border as a child, as his family fled violence. Across Australia, churches seek to live out this calling through friendship, hospitality, advocacy and practical support for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Australia has now welcomed one million refugees and humanitarian entrants since the end of the Second World War. Their stories have become part of our shared national story, enriching our communities and helping shape the multicultural country we are today.
We are grateful that Australia is not stepping back from this legacy.
We also hope it can be the foundation for Australia to do more. Labor’s platform aspires to progressively increase Australia’s government-funded humanitarian intake to 27,000 places each year. We encourage your Government to build on last week’s decision and take the next steps towards by making a time-bound commitment to see this realised.
The need is immense, but Australia has both the capacity and the history to respond with generosity. As Christian leaders, we want you to know that when your Government chooses welcome over retreat, there are churches and Christians across this country ready to stand with you.
Thank you again for ensuring Australia continues to offer safety and hope to people who urgently need it.
Yours faithfully,
Rev Sandy Boyce, Chair, Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce