Community members celebrating the power of solidarity at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Seven Hills yesterday.
The Win
An additional intake of 16,500 places costed in the budget, earmarked for Afghanistan.
This is an additional number, above the annual refugee intake.
What it means?
Bipartisan support to accept refugees fleeing the Taliban as called on by civil society since 2021.
The backstory
We all watched the fall of Kabul with sadness, and many of you were spurred to act. The Sydney and Hunter Community Alliances brought people together and then planned and took action. Delegations fanned out to meet MPs, on both sides of the aisle, and consistently applied pressure over the last six months. Hundreds of you took part calling on the Federal Government to take responsibility and open the doors to those fleeing the Taliban.
The Alliance of Alliances
Across Australia, Sydney and Hunter Community Alliances joined people of the common good each bringing their own gifts and skills to the campaign.
This work was led by leaders from Afghan communities - Zaki, Hava, Arif and many others, including:
- Action for Afghanistan
- The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum
- United Workers Union
- Christians United for Afghanistan
A big recognition to all those Alliance leaders across congregations, parishes, local action groups, mosques, synagogues and unions who worked together and/or donated to this campaign.
The lesson
This additional intake should have been an obvious moral act for the Federal Government. Instead, a diverse group of everyday people had to apply consistent and persistent pressure through relational, organised action to see a result.
What's next?
Whether on refugees, housing, affordable energy, transport, climate, disaster mitigation on walking together with First Nations, the Alliance trains people in the art of community organising.
You are invited to jump back in, in one of our upcoming local actions or solidarity seminars, as we organise for the common good.
Check out our season of action & learning here.
Or donate to support the work of the Alliance.
In solidarity,
David Barrow
Lead Organiser, Sydney Alliance
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