Attend the Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees
ANMF (Vic Branch) members are invited to wear their masks and red t-shirts and join other union members to participate in the annual Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees.
Sunday 10 April 2pm
State Library, corner Swanston and La Trobe Streets, Melbourne
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People who sought asylum in Australia have been detained for nearly a decade by the Australian Government, first in harsh conditions in PNG and Nauru
Whilst ANMF welcome the recent release of some asylum seekers from the Park Hotel in Carlton, there are still around 50 people who were brought to Australia under the now repealed Medevac laws. These asylum seekers were brought here for medical attention, but instead were indefinitely detained in suburban hotels and detention centres around Australia.
The rally is calling for:
- End of mandatory detention
- Permanent visas for all refugees
- Basic income support for people in the community while their status is assessed
- Provide family reunion
- Release all refugees from detention
- Accept 20,000 Afghan refugees
- An end to offshore processing or take up New Zealand resettlement offer
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 – has 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.
