Permanency not poverty – refugees need permanent visas – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

The Refugee Action Coalition is holding an online forum on Monday 11 October from 6 PM – 7:30 PM. Speakers will be Bahadur, Iranian refugee on TPV
Afghan refugee on TPV and one Tamil refugee.

The crisis in Afghanistan has put renewed focus on the appalling situation for 5100 Afghan refugees already in Australia on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and SHEVs.

They, like all TPV holders, are denied the right to family reunion, meaning many have family members stranded in Afghanistan they cannot get to safety. Most have not seen these family members for eight years or more.

The Australian government now refuses to provide permanent visas to any refugee who arrived by boat. Refugees are forced to reapply for protection every three to five years and prove that they still deserve to stay. This means that around 20,000 refugees live with the ongoing fear of being deported.

The situation is even worse for those refused refugee status under unfair “fast track” processing laws, and for those released from hotel detention who have been on Manus and Nauru.

This forum will hear from refugee temporary visa holders about their situation in Australia, and how we can fight to win them all permanent protection.

Join via Zoom link here

Speakers:
Sohil (Afghan refugee on bridging visa)
Khatereh (Iranian refugee on temporary visa)
Bahadur (Iranian refugee)
Matilda Fay (Refugee Action Coalition)

Permanency not Poverty

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	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.