Don't Shoot the Messenger
Letter to the Editor – South Gippsland Sentinel Times
14 March
Dear Sir/Madam
It is disappointing that Anna Erbrederis (Immigration Department too late for Wonthaggi Refugees, 27/2/07) has ridiculed an employee of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship who was doing his job meeting the community on-site and on its terms.
An officer from DIAC should not, through their naming, effectively be blamed for the misplaced grievances of some members of the Bass Coast community in regard to the settlement of permanent residents in the area.
The comments relating to DIAC's lack of support for refugees in Ms Erbrederis' article are misleading. Humanitarian entrants are provided with intensive initial assistance under the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) and this includes provision of initial accommodation, assistance in household management, help to find accommodation, a package of household goods and access to torture and trauma counselling.
On average this support lasts six months but can be extended for those entrants with high needs. Once this assistance has been provided, like any permanent resident or citizen living freely in the community, these people are free to move.
The issue canvassed by Ms Erbrederis is NOT about DIAC's involvement in settlement planning for refugees but about Australian residents moving to a town for work.
Humanitarian entrants living in Wonthaggi have not been directed there by DIAC. We do, however, recognise that some humanitarian entrants move to regional areas for employment and other reasons. When DIAC is aware of significant movement of humanitarian entrants, we provide settlement grants funding for projects to meet some of their needs. Settlement assistance to the South Gippsland region is currently provided through a grant to Gippsland Multicultural Services.
Despite the claims made in Ms Erbrederis' article, Australia is recognised internationally for its active role in seeking to find durable solutions for some of the most vulnerable people in the world. The settlement assistance we provide to these entrants is ranked highly by international standards.
Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration and Citizenship