Safety for Afghan refugees now!
Rural Australians for Refugees Southern Highlands call on the Australian Government to take urgent action in response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
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We urge the Government to offer a one-off humanitarian intake of the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan.
20,000 places have each been offered by Canada and the UK. We should do the same.
Yet again we see our Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the back of the pack, having announced that he will take 3,000 people which is a shameful bare minimum. This number will barely cover the moral obligation we have to support those who helped the ADF while they were in Afghanistan. The number of 3,000 will be part of the current annual intake of 13,750, which is a decrease from 18,750 in previous years!
There are thousands of Afghan refugees living in Australia still on Temporary Protection Visas despite living and working here for many years. Quite apart from the insecurity of the situation for them this means they have to reapply every five years for their visa and cannot apply for their families to join them in Australia.
Rural Australians for Refugees National President Louise Redmond said "surely this is time for common sense and humanity to prevail. Let those already here, accepted as refugees, become Australian citizens as it's clearly impossible for them to return."
Quite apart from anything else they have certainly demonstrated their value to our community and they have contributed much. We would welcome them as Australian citizens. As a local Southern Highlands group we are part of a larger group of concerned rural Australians supporting refugees settling in our communities.
Australian people have compassion and generosity. Now it's time for the Government to show some compassion, substantially increase our Afghan refugee intake, and provide certainty for those already here. The international community needs to step up and protect Afghan people who have worked with Coalition forces and with the Afghan Government to build a more open society there. They will be targeted by the Taliban and we need to act now.
Maree Byrne, Convenor, RAR Southern Highlands
Vale Dr Warwick Williams
Dr Warwick Williams was a well known and respected psychiatrist whose professional dedication and wisdom will be missed. We often say that 'no-one' is irreplaceable. Perhaps. But some people leave a unique mark. Those of us who work in mental health and/or benefitted from his wisdom and skill should pause in memory, and, as we can, carry his work forward to those who follow us.
Susan Boden, Narrabundah
Highlands Opinion - a breath of fresh air
A new Facebook Group has appeared, "Highlands Opinion" (aka HO). To quote from its "About" entry, "This is a forum for discussion by Shire residents and friends to dissect local issues, raise a hand when something interesting happens, offer a shout-out to someone who has done a good deed, or just to consider the news of the day."
The three administrators, Oswald Nash, Phoebe Kent and Jacinta Adams are committed to providing a safe place to discuss all things that occupy Southern Highlanders' thought. Their standards are high to "ensure considered, focused and respectful debate".
I joined a few weeks ago and I'm very impressed with HO's integrity, informality and willingness to discuss issues that are on the minds of its members. This is one local FB group I highly recommended you join! Just search for "Highlands Opinion" on Facebook and ask to join.
