Attend the Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees
ANMF (Vic Branch) members are invited to wear their red t-shirts and join other union members to participate in the annual Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees.
Sunday 28 March, 2pm
State Library, corner Swanston and La Trobe Streets, Melbourne
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NB: The current COVID-19 Victorian limits on public gatherings in 100.
People who sought asylum in Australia have been detained for over seven years by the Australian Government, first in harsh conditions in PNG and Nauru for six years.
Now, more than 200 people seeking asylum have been detained in suburban hotels in Australia for more than a year, with deteriorating mental health.
The rally is calling for:
- Permanent visas for all refugees
- Basic income support for people in the community while their status is assessed
- Release all refugees from detention
- An end to offshore processing
Why does ANMF endorse this rally?
ANMF has a policy [PDF] for supporting the right for people seeking asylum in Australia to be humanely treated, regardless of how they entered Australia or country of origin.
As the union for nurses, midwives and personal care workers, ANMF represents members who spend their working lives caring for people who are vulnerable.
Refugees and people seeking asylum detained by our government are also vulnerable as they are detained without any end date.
The negative physical and mental health of holding people in indefinite detention – many of whom have experienced trauma from fleeing war or oppression – have been well-documented.
During COVID-19 lockdown, we had a tiny glimpse of what this is like. Many Victorians experienced mental health impacts, even though our timelines and process for resuming normal lives were constantly defined and explained to us.
The Branch also has members who were refugees and spend their working lives contributing to the Australian community.
ANMF will continue to advocate for refugees and people seeking asylum on behalf of our members who, as nurses, midwives and personal care workers, are among the most trusted people in our community.
