SUDANESE REFUGEES A VALUABLE ADDITION TO QUEENSLAND
Published Friday, 05 October, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has undermined the excellent work of Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commission and religious groups to help Sudanese refugees integrate with Queensland communities, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“The Anti-Discrimination Commission and church groups are doing a fantastic job helping Sudanese people who have come to Australia and are often suffering from the physical and mental trauma of war,” Mr Shine said.
“The Anti-Discrimination Commission has worked hard to improve access to complaint processes for refugees from various countries including Sudan.
“This has provided Sudanese refugees who believe they have been the victims of discrimination an avenue to raise their concerns.”
Ms Shine said church groups have also been a great source of comfort to many Sudanese refugees settling in Australia.
“These groups have generously provided clothing, food and friendship to these refugees as they settle into their new life.”
Ms Shine said he was disappointed Mr Andrews had focussed on the Sudanese community to justify his decision to reduce the number of migrants from the African country.
“There are many Sudanese refugees in my electorate of Toowoomba North and many of them are making a valuable contribution to our local community,” Mr Shine said.
“The majority of people in my community have made our Sudanese people very welcome and local police tell me they have had no issues relating to African refugees.
“Mr Andrews comments would only be seen by Sudanese refugees as a clear message that they are not welcome in Australia.
“That is not the case in Toowoomba or any other part of Queensland and I would encourage any Sudanese people or other refugees to recognise Mr Andrews comments as a politically motivated attempt to strike fear in the community ahead of the federal election,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“The Anti-Discrimination Commission and church groups are doing a fantastic job helping Sudanese people who have come to Australia and are often suffering from the physical and mental trauma of war,” Mr Shine said.
“The Anti-Discrimination Commission has worked hard to improve access to complaint processes for refugees from various countries including Sudan.
“This has provided Sudanese refugees who believe they have been the victims of discrimination an avenue to raise their concerns.”
Ms Shine said church groups have also been a great source of comfort to many Sudanese refugees settling in Australia.
“These groups have generously provided clothing, food and friendship to these refugees as they settle into their new life.”
Ms Shine said he was disappointed Mr Andrews had focussed on the Sudanese community to justify his decision to reduce the number of migrants from the African country.
“There are many Sudanese refugees in my electorate of Toowoomba North and many of them are making a valuable contribution to our local community,” Mr Shine said.
“The majority of people in my community have made our Sudanese people very welcome and local police tell me they have had no issues relating to African refugees.
“Mr Andrews comments would only be seen by Sudanese refugees as a clear message that they are not welcome in Australia.
“That is not the case in Toowoomba or any other part of Queensland and I would encourage any Sudanese people or other refugees to recognise Mr Andrews comments as a politically motivated attempt to strike fear in the community ahead of the federal election,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273