10 September 2015

Alex Greenwich’s successful motion in the NSW Parliament supporting asylum seekers and refugees reflects the community’s view that we must do more to help global refugees.

“NSW MPs from all sides supported more help to asylum seekers and refugees. The people of NSW want help for people fleeing for their lives.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) lists 60 million people displaced by persecution and conflict – 38 million internally displaced persons, 20 million refugees and 2 million asylum seekers yet to be processed. This does not include refugees from climate change.

Mr Greenwich said, “I hope this support and the strong community calls for an increased refugee intake and more help for refugees and asylum seekers is the beginning of a new bipartisan role for Australia as a good global citizen.”

“Premier Mike Baird and Opposition Leader Luke Foley have shown positive leadership, promoting compassion and a humanitarian response instead of fear and xenophobia.”

“We are a successful and wealthy nation of migrants and refugees – more than a quarter born overseas.”
“As the ‘lucky country’, we need our federal government to direct our national efforts to preventing conflict, taking our fair share of refugees.”

Mr Greenwich reported Sydney electorate constituents offering to share their homes with refugees and give practical help people fleeing death and persecution. He said, “People feel helpless and want to do something, and we should.”

Residents in Millers Point, Dawes Point and the Rocks including the Sirius building have suggested using empty government properties for emergency and temporary housing.  

"I call on the federal government to increase our refugee intake and aid to address the global refugee crisis,” Mr Greenwich concluded.