Community Support for Refugees
and Humanitarian Program Entrants
Discussion Paper
I am strongly committed to helping refugees and people in genuine need of protection from human rights abuses. Refugees and humanitarian entrants resettled under the Humanitarian Program have specific settlement needs.
To address these needs, Australia has developed one of the most comprehensive range of settlement services in the world. These services are provided by Commonwealth, State and Local Government agencies, community organisations and volunteers.
In this regard, members of Community Refugee Settlement Scheme (CRSS) groups have made a major contribution over the past 20 years towards the successful settlement of refugees and humanitarian entrants. I wish to acknowledge the proud record of achievement by these groups.
Without CRSS many refugees would have faced an even more difficult task in settling here. The practical support and friendship provided by CRSS volunteers has given the refugees the knowledge, confidence and skills to participate in the Australian community. In addition, CRSS groups have helped to ensure that the wider Australian community has a greater awareness and understanding of the issues facing refugees.
The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) aims to better target and integrate settlement services for Humanitarian Program entrants.
My Department has developed a humanitarian settlement service model which will achieve service integration, including the volunteer effort, in a way that provides for a more effective targeting of resources according to identified needs and priorities. It also clearly incorporates and builds on an individual needs assessment and case management approach.
I wish to emphasise that volunteer groups, through the Community Support for Refugees, will continue to play an important role under the new method of delivering humanitarian settlement services.
The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy will support groups and individual's voluntary contribution to the settlement of refugees. The dedication and efforts of volunteers show the courage and determination of their principles and beliefs in caring for their fellow human beings. Refugees and humanitarian entrants will continue to need this valuable assistance.
This paper aims to stimulate discussion on a range of issues relating to the voluntary assistance required under the IHSS service model. I invite you to participate in this discussion and to provide your views.
Philip Ruddock
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation