Living with Strength and Kindliness

No Child Left Behind – Refugee Council of Australia

There are currently around 16,000 children in families seeking protection in Australia. Many people seeking asylum have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19, as they often work in the service sectors worst affected. People seeking asylum are not eligible for the Job Seeker or Job Keeper payments, like many other workers. Some don’t even have access to Medicare. The Refugee Council of Australia is bringing together a coalition of educators, carers and students who are working to put pressure on the Federal Government to ensure adequate support is provided for people in this situation. COVID-19 does not discriminate, and neither should access to a safety net or assistance during this time. We are in this together and there must be support for all who need it, regardless of visa status.

We are collecting signatories from educators, parents and students, and the relevant bodies representing them, for a joint statement directed to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston. Principals, teachers, parents, students and education groups can sign on here: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/no-child-left-behind/