THE Saint Vincent de Paul Society has called on the Australian government to fulfil their election promise and offer permanent protection to 19,000 refugees on temporary visas.
In a September 16 statement, the society commended the government’s recent decision to increase the 2022-2023 migrant intake to 195,000 places.
However, the Australian government had still not announced their plan to implement their election promise of offering permanent protection to refugees on temporary visas.
“This delay is causing unnecessary distress to these vulnerable people, many of whom the Society supports,” the statement said.
“We call on the Government to announce its plan by the end of October, including any funding for this financial year in the October Budget.”
The statement came in preparation for the Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office produced an information kit to help parishes and other Church communities celebrate the day.
“The kit includes stories celebrating the Australian Church’s commitment to a future with migrants and refugees but also includes a video commenting on the darker side of Australia’s approach to many other vulnerable people seeking our protection, many of whom the Society also supports,” the statement said.
For more information on the Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugee kit please visit https://www.acmro.catholic.org.au/resources/migrant-refugee-kit/booklet/1413-migrant-and-refugee-kit-2022/file
