Be proud of our record

Letter to the Editor - The Glebe
18 January 2007

Dear Sir/Madam

Dominic Knight is proud (Pinochet one of many, 21/12/06) that Australia offered his friend a haven – and he says he would be even more proud if we increased the current refugee intake.

Does he know Australia’s refugee intake, along with the United States and Canada, consistently ranks in the top three countries worldwide?

Australia resettled some 14 000 humanitarian entrants last year – and has taken more than  675 000 refugees since World War II – from some of the most desperate situations in Africa, the Middle East and Burmese on the Thai/Burma border and in Malaysia.

Internationally, Australia is recognised for its active role in seeking to find durable solutions for people who have often been in refugee camps and living in desperate conditions, sometimes for decades.

Along with the world-class settlement services that are provided, Mr Knight can justifiably be proud of Australia’s record in our humanitarian intake and in the resettlement services people can access in Australia to rebuild their lives.

In addition, Australia has a sound and well-managed asylum process that ensures that people in need of protection are given that protection.

Susie van den Heuvel
Acting National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs