Living with Strength and Kindliness

What has been the impact of Covid 19 for people who are seeking Asylum in Australia?

There are currently 569 Asylum Seekers in detention centres in Australia. There are a further 577 living in alternative accommodation such as hotels, 846 people live in community detentions.  439 asylum seekers (seeking Asylum in Australia) are currently in Limbo in PNG and Nauru.These people wait and some have waited for a very long time..  Advocates, such as The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Refugee Council, and many, many ordinary Australians, like you and me,  have worked hard and long for these people to be removed from detention and allowed to live in our communities.

The advent of Covid 19 has had a huge impact on the lives of those seeking Asylum in Australia.  Asylum Seekers and Refugees who do not have permanent visas are not eligible for wage subsidies. People on Bridging Visas are eligible for Jobkeeper and Jobseeker.  The Refugee Council of Australia estimates that there could be up to 90,000 who do not have a safety net at this time. To add to this burden many asylum seekers do not have access to health benefits such as our Medicare system.  This poses considerable risk if they were to become unwell.

Victoria, among other states, have offered packages of support to asylum seekers who are facing hardship at this time, however they are not substantial enough to assist with the payment of rent or other necessities.

The Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project has been at work over the last 3 months supporting requests for help.  These requests have continued to grow.  BASP continues to house over 130 in the houses it manages itself.  It has also assisted those who are in their own rental properties but are unable to pay their own rent.  It has helped individuals and families with utilities, food and basic expenses.  

It is easy to have feelings of helplessness when you read and hear about these statistics.  The fact that issues for Asylum Seekers have gone on for so long and seem to get worse rather than better can make us feel that there is nothing we can do and our own small voice is not going to be heard in this big problem.  But there are small things that we can do that can make a difference. Resist the feeling of hopelessness by taking one small action.

I have listed some ideas below.

If you would also like to be part of the political movement have a look at the newsletter (link below).  There are number of online petitions that you can sign. There are also a number of contacts we can ring or write to.  The idea is if we are nuisance enough we may get some action just to stop our constant communication.  

Now that's an idea!

Kirrilee Westblade

Catholic Identity Leader

(written with the use of material from the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project June Newsletter)

To read the full newsletter please click here:  https://basp.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/BASP-Newsletter-96.pdf

Note:  donated items can be left at the front office and we will ensure that they get where they get to the BASP Office.