Since 2018, the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum has been advocating for the rights of people seeking asylum to the Federal and Victorian Government.
Right now, in Australia there are still thousands of people waiting on their application for refugee protection. This includes people who have waited for over ten years.
Applications for asylum are stuck in a broken system, which means families do not have certainty to rebuild their lives. Many are living in deep poverty, without work rights and ineligible for basic support services such as health care, accommodation and crisis support and have no option but to rely on help from charities and Local Government.
Established and chaired by Greater Dandenong Council, the Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum is made up of over 40 Councils nationwide, who are collectively advocating for fairness and safety for community members seeking protection.
Back Your Neighbour
The Back Your Neighbour Campaign, was launched on 3 December 2018. The campaign symbolises a unified advocacy approach by Local Governments from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, together with more than 40 community organisations, ambassadors and refugee sector peak bodies.
The Back Your Neighbour campaign is calling on the Federal Government to:
- Provide people with a valid visa with work, travel and study rights.
- Expand the support program eligibility criteria and simplify the application so that people in need can access health care, accommodation support and other essential services.
- Ensure an independent, timely and fair humanitarian application and review.
- Provide people refused protection under the ‘Fast Track’ system a fair review.
- Continue to clear the backlog of asylum applications and appeals.
- Abolish temporary visas and replace them with permanent protection pathways to citizenship for all humanitarian arrivals.
How can I help?
The Back Your Neighbour petition to the Immigration Minister calls for certainty and support for our neighbours, friends and community members, who have been living in limbo.
- As a community member, please lend your voice to this important campaign by signing the petition here.
- We invite community organisations to endorse our campaign as a Supporter.
- If your Council is interested in joining the Taskforce, please contact Peter Johnstone, Coordinator Community Advocacy at peter.johnstone@cgd.vic.gov.au.
For more information, visit backyourneighbour.com.au or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Read about our priorities in the Taskforce's Terms of Reference - Revised December 2023.