'Refugee Welcome' cities declared

BY KATHY NEWNAM

NEWCASTLE — On November 26, the Newcastle City Council gallery was packed with an impressive number of refugee-rights supporters, who cheered on the passing of a motion making Newcastle a "Welcome City" for refugees.

Moved by Councillor Barbara Gaudry, the motion resolved that the council will: "Support a tangible and visible policy of welcome, acceptance and hope to people classed as refugees in Australia today; be an on-going partner in a wide community forum that discusses the needs and treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia today and endorse and promote the development of a community strategy to identify, support and welcome refugees within the Newcastle community."

Further, the motion noted that the spirit of the declaration was "to welcome refugees into our community; uphold human rights for refugees; demonstrate compassion for refugees and enhance cultural and religious diversity in our community."

The "Welcome Town" working group of Newcastle Action for Refugee Rights (NARR) has worked over many months preparing information and networks to facilitate the decision of the council.

NARR activist Anne McLaughlin told GLW that the motion "represents a local community response to what is a global, national and local concern but one which strikes at the very essence of our humanity — how we treat others less fortunate than ourselves".

The city of Subiaco in Western Australia has also declared itself a "Refugee Welcome Zone". The November 5 meeting of the Subiaco council passed the motion, with only one councillor voting against.

The council also confirmed its commitment to upholding the rights of refugees, demonstrating compassion and enhancing cultural diversity. The vote followed an approach by the Refugee Council of Australia as part of its campaign to create the zones across Australia.

For more information about the Welcome City process, email NARR on <action_for_refugee_rights@yahoo.com.au>.

From Green Left Weekly, December 4, 2002.

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From GLW issue 519