Onshore processing of asylum seekers is a good solution

UnitingCare Australia has welcomed news that the Federal Government is now looking at onshore options for processing asylum seekers.

National Director Lin Hatfield Dodds said onshore processing and careful use of community options for accommodation could work for asylum seekers and for Australian communities.

“Out of what looked like a pretty dark moment in Australia’s history, the tangled politics around this issue has delivered a solution that we welcome,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

“The Government’s decision to look at onshore options has delivered on community expectation that the Government will act to protect vulnerable people.

“UnitingCare Australia has worked for many years to build support for asylum seekers in local communities.

“Across Australia the UnitingCare network has years of experience working with people coming out of detention and working with people living with mental illness and the effects of trauma.

“Placing families and children in communities, where they have access to health and skills and education, prepares asylum seekers for a life in Australia or back in their country of origin, whatever the outcome of their bid for asylum.”

Ms Hatfield Dodds said, “UnitingCare Australia has been working with the Government since October last year on solutions for housing children and vulnerable families in the community.

“And we are absolutely committed to continuing that work in the best interests of the majority of asylum seekers who come to this country.”

The UnitingCare network provides social services to over 2 million people each year in 1,300 sites in remote, rural and metropolitan Australia. UnitingCare has 35,000 staff and 24,000 volunteers.