Immigration Minister Andrew Giles pays first visit in a decade to ASRC

·

Andrew Giles MP has become the first Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs to visit Kon Karapanagiotidis’ Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) in more than a decade.

According to the ASRC, Mr Giles took the time during his visit to hear directly from refugee leaders about what priorities the new Australian Labor Party should have around the issue of immigration.

Mr Giles also heard about the current challenges facing people seeking asylum and refugees, including the lack of safety net, family separation, detention conditions, temporary protection, and processing delays.

In a post on Twitter, Mr Karapanagiotidis’ said “the symbolism of Andrew Giles being the first Immigration Minister in more than a decade to make the effort to visit the ASRC matters.”

“Even more important was the genuine care he took to really listen to refugee leaders as to what he needs to prioritise now and in the future,” Mr Karapanagiotidis added.

The ASRC was founded by Mr Karapanagiotidis in 2001 and has since become Australia’s largest human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum.

Mr Giles was sworn in as Australia’s new Immigration Minister in early June under the Albanese Labor Government. Mr Giles said it was “an incredible honour to take on the role.”

Since then, at a Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) Conference in Melbourne, Mr Giles announced the Federal Government will start collecting ethnicity data as part of measuring diversity in Australia.

The Immigration Minister also confirmed one of his top priorities was to deal with the current visa backlog.

READ MORE: Multicultural groups welcome Federal Government’s plan to begin collecting ethnicity data.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister meets Sydney’s Greek business and community leaders

Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Ioannis Loverdos met with Sydney’s Greek business and community leaders at a Business Sydney breakfast.

Conquest unveils $900 million plan for former Cyprus Club site at Stanmore

Conquest has lodged plans for a $900m retail and residential precinct on the site of the former Cyprus Community of NSW Club in Stanmore.

Councillor Katerine Theodosis calls on Merri-Bek to preserve its proud migrant history

Merri-Bek Councillor Katerine Theodosis has tasked Council to lead a program which documents and showcases the city’s migrant history. 

AHEPA Australia launches ‘Saving Hearts’ fundraiser in support of Heart Foundation

AHEPA Australia will host a Saving Hearts Fundraiser on Sunday, October 12, at The Grand Roxy in Sydney in support of the Heart Foundation.

Former Sydney teacher Bill Kafataris jailed for child sexual grooming

Bill Kafataris, 57, has been sentenced to two years in jail after being found guilty of sexually grooming a child following a retrial.

You May Also Like

Sydney Cafe Flour Drum named in top 10 Best Foodie Spots in Newtown

Cafe Flour Drum has been named in the top 10 Best Foodie Spots in Newtown and showcases its ‘handmade treats’ and ‘warm environment’. 

Golden Angels: The Greek Australians who ‘spread their wings’ over sick kids and their families

Adelaide based group ‘Golden Angels’ are committed to making a difference in the lives of children in palliative care and their parents.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.