New England MP Barnaby Joyce has shared support for refugees living in the region as the nation celebrates Refugee Week.
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Refugee Week, running from June 17-23, is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the people who come to Australia through the Refugee and Humanitarian Program.
Mr Joyce highlighted how regional towns like Armidale have already benefited greatly from settlement of people under the Humanitarian Program.
“Australia has a proud record of resettling people in humanitarian need,” Mr Joyce said.
“The new Settlement Services International (SSI) regional office at Armidale which we helped officially open just last month, is providing direct support to individuals and families resettling in our region – people just like the Hussein family who are Yazidi refugees.
“We in the New England can offer those fleeing foreign persecution a place to live their lives in peace and safety and they can provide us with the skills and knowledge in trades and jobs to help our region get ahead.”
The theme for Australia’s Refugee Week this year is refugee entrepreneurship and regional employment.
“Australia is one of the world’s top contributors to international refugee resettlement efforts having resettled more than 880,000 people since the end of the Second World War,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Coalition Government continues its long-standing commitment to the Humanitarian Program providing over 20,200 offshore visas in 2017-18 – the most in three decades.”