Mount Gambier embraces Burmese seeking new life
Tuesday 9 December 2008
Resettlement of Burmese refugees in Mount Gambier is a wonderful example of how local communities and government can work together to support successful settlement, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.
In Mount Gambier today to meet the Burmese community, Mr Ferguson said the 50 people, about 10 families, were mainly minority Karen people who had been driven out of Burma into refugee camps in Thailand by ethnic troubles under successive military regimes.
The Australian Government launched a pilot project in 2007 to settle refugees in Mount Gambier and the project has been so successful the people were quickly regarded as part of the local community.
The pilot was conducted with the support of the community, local service providers and other government departments. A recent independent review judged the pilot a resounding success and recommended further refugee settlement in Mount Gambier based on this.
‘The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is discussing further settlement with the South Australian government and working to identify more suitable refugee families who could be settled in Mount Gambier,’ Mr Ferguson said.
While in Mount Gambier today, Mr Ferguson also launched a project under the Sustainable Regional Settlement program to identify suitable employment opportunities and training for newly arrived humanitarian entrants in the Limestone Coast area.
In addition, the parliamentary secretary opened the new premises for the Limestone Coast Migrant Resource Centre and launched the Murray Lands, Limestone Coast and Riverland Resource Directory.
‘This directory contains a wealth of information on support services for people newly arrived to Australia,’ Mr Ferguson said.
The resource directory and settlement program have been funded by the Government through DIAC with funds totaling more than $74 000.
Media Contact: Sarah Gestier-Garstang 0432 283 020
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08072.htm
Last update: 17 December 2008 at 10:22 AEST