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Email your MP - Covid-19 response for people seeking asylum and refugees

We are facing a global pandemic, the like of which has not been seen for over 100 years. It is unprecedented.

The Australian government has recognised the health, social and economic impacts of such a crisis on our society and has responded effectively. However, the measures taken so far have forgotten refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia who are significantly affected by the crisis.

Right now, thousands of people seeking asylum in Australia have no access to Medicare, no work and no social security. Likewise a breakout of COVID-19 in any of Australia's detention facilities would have a devastating effect on people detained there. There are many more instances where people seeking asylum and refugees will face serious health impacts and as of yet do not have the support they need.

That's why we are calling on the Federal government to take a number of bold actions to improve individual situations and reduce health risks to the broader community:

Move people urgently out of crowded immigration detention facilities
Ensure a financial safety net and Medicare access for all in Australia, including people seeking asylum and refugees
Prevent people losing legal status and access to support
Move refugees and people seeking asylum from PNG and Nauru
Ensure that refugees on temporary SHEV visas are not penalised in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Can you help us send a message to our elected representatives that they cannot forget people seeking asylum and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We know that the more people who contact their local MPs, the more likely we are to achieve our goals.

Enter your postcode and we will automatically send your email to your local Federal MP!

<div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
 Dear Elected Representative,
 I am writing to you as a local constituent to draw your attention to the urgent need to support people seeking asylum and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Federal government’s response so far has been a very positive one, it has forgotten the needs of some of our society’s most vulnerable residents.
 Whether we are considering people residing in detention facilities offshore or onshore, or those people seeking asylum in Australia currently experiencing destitution, with no income support or even access to Medicare, the situation is dire and extends so much further.
 I am joining thousands of others in calling for the inclusion of people seeking asylum and refugees in any government support package that is designed to support people, the economy and public health.
 Maintaining the health of everyone currently in Australia, regardless of their citizenship or visa status, is in the interests of all of us. 
 I support the call by the Refugee Council of Australia and its members for the government to take a number of bold actions to improve individual situations and reduce health risks to the broader community:
 <ol>
 <li>Move people urgently out of crowded immigration detention facilities</li>
 <li>Ensure a financial safety net and Medicare access for all in Australia, including people seeking asylum and refugees</li>
 <li>Simplify processes for visa grants and renewals</li>
 <li>Move refugees and people seeking asylum from PNG and Nauru</li>
 <li>Ensure that refugees on SHEVs are not penalised in light of the COVID-19 pandemic</li>
 </ol>
 You can read more detail about the above actions on the Refugee Council of Australia’s website: <a href="http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/priorities-covid-19/">www.refugeecouncil.org.au/priorities-covid-19/</a>
 This suite of actions would ensure that outbreaks of COVID-19 in crowded detention facilities could be avoided. They would prevent people from becoming homeless and ensure that people seeking asylum and refugees have the medical treatment they need to stay healthy and to avoid getting others sick.
 As a community, we have the opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic to make decisions that are compassionate, constructive and responsible. Only in doing so, can we ensure Australia emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic with a resilient, healthy and cohesive community. There are tens of thousands of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia who make up our communities, and they cannot be forgotten at this time of great need.
 I ask you to raise this issue with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Acting Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge, Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood, Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston and the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, as well as your relevant party spokesperson. I look forward to hearing your response.
 Yours sincerely
 </div>

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Email your MP - Covid-19 response for people seeking asylum and refugees

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