Bishop of Parramatta


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	Letter to Kevin Andrews MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship *From Kevin Michael Manning, Catholic Bishop of Parramatta, 4 October 2007* Dear Kevin, Just as you were announcing a moratorium on the taking of African Humanitarian refugees into Australia I was organising trophies for two winning Sudanese soccer teams in the Granville District. Led by a few outstanding Sudanese youth leaders and the generosity of a local community leader these young men had triumphed at the grand final - an insignificant event, perhaps, but an example of the drive, determination and desire of these young people to "belong" and be accepted as Australians. Currently, the Diocese of Parramatta employs a Sudanese Youth Worker, two Sudanese school-family liaison officers and a number of Sudanese teacher-aides. These, predominantly young people, are well educated, or in the throes of completing their studies, articulate and anxious to contribute to the well-being of their community. In addition to this there is an Intensive English Unit at Delany College which has around 50 Sudanese students and a number of itinerant language teachers in the Primary Schools. Africa continues to host a large number of externally and internally displaced people from Sudan, Liberia, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and other countries. They are no more or less deserving than refugees from any other country, but they do come from a continent particularly plagued by poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict. An affluent and privileged country such as Australia is in a position to do more for them, rather than less. However, what concerns me most is your statement that Sudanese refugees have "greater challenges" than other migrants who come to Australia. Is there any evidence that this is so? The migrants, asylum seekers and refugees who have come and continue to come to Western Sydney have many challenges in common: difficulty with the language, limited education, tension between the old and new cultures, problems finding "a way into" their local communities, lack of employment, the cost of housing and dealing with a variety of bureaucracies. I fail to see that refugees coming from Iraq or Burma are going to provide fewer "challenges" than those from Sudan and, like the Sudanese, they will have experienced great trauma. What sets the Sudanese, and other African refugees, apart is their colour. The Africans, unlike those from Asia or the Middle East, stand out in the crowd. Linking the ability to settle or not settle into Australia on the basis of race rather than the circumstances affecting each individual is a deeply disturbing development. It would be most unfortunate if Australia's generous Humanitarian Refugee Programme were to be overshadowed by accusations of racism. Making decisions as to the composition of the Humanitarian Refugee Programme is very complex and there are, of course, competing needs. It is however, absolutely essential that on arrival in Australia, Humanitarian refugees are given adequate support, particularly in the areas of English language classes, employment and housing. Currently, the new arrivals in Blacktown, Mt Druitt and elsewhere are struggling to find adequate accommodation and employment. If the support continued over a longer period of time there would, I believe, be fewer "challenges." I would be only too happy to meet with you and let you know of the work the Diocese is doing with Sudanese refugees. With best wishes, Bishop Kevin Manning Diocese of Parramatta

To review previous submissions visit the archive

Letter to Kevin Andrews MP,
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

From Kevin Michael Manning, Catholic Bishop of Parramatta, 4 October 2007

Dear Kevin,

Just as you were announcing a moratorium on the taking of African Humanitarian refugees into Australia I was organising trophies for two winning Sudanese soccer teams in the Granville District. Led by a few outstanding Sudanese youth leaders and the generosity of a local community leader these young men had triumphed at the grand final - an insignificant event, perhaps, but an example of the drive, determination and desire of these young people to "belong" and be accepted as Australians.

Currently, the Diocese of Parramatta employs a Sudanese Youth Worker, two Sudanese school-family liaison officers and a number of Sudanese teacher-aides. These, predominantly young people, are well educated, or in the throes of completing their studies, articulate and anxious to contribute to the well-being of their community. In addition to this there is an Intensive English Unit at Delany College which has around 50 Sudanese students and a number of itinerant language teachers in the Primary Schools.

Africa continues to host a large number of externally and internally displaced people from Sudan, Liberia, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and other countries. They are no more or less deserving than refugees from any other country, but they do come from a continent particularly plagued by poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict. An affluent and privileged country such as Australia is in a position to do more for them, rather than less.

However, what concerns me most is your statement that Sudanese refugees have "greater challenges" than other migrants who come to Australia. Is there any evidence that this is so? The migrants, asylum seekers and refugees who have come and continue to come to Western Sydney have many challenges in common: difficulty with the language, limited education, tension between the old and new cultures, problems finding "a way into" their local communities, lack of employment, the cost of housing and dealing with a variety of bureaucracies. I fail to see that refugees coming from Iraq or Burma are going to provide fewer "challenges" than those from Sudan and, like the Sudanese, they will have experienced great trauma. What sets the Sudanese, and other African refugees, apart is their colour. The Africans, unlike those from Asia or the Middle East, stand out in the crowd. Linking the ability to settle or not settle into Australia on the basis of race rather than the circumstances affecting each individual is a deeply disturbing development. It would be most unfortunate if Australia's generous Humanitarian Refugee Programme were to be overshadowed by accusations of racism.

Making decisions as to the composition of the Humanitarian Refugee Programme is very complex and there are, of course, competing needs. It is however, absolutely essential that on arrival in Australia, Humanitarian refugees are given adequate support, particularly in the areas of English language classes, employment and housing. Currently, the new arrivals in Blacktown, Mt Druitt and elsewhere are struggling to find adequate accommodation and employment. If the support continued over a longer period of time there would, I believe, be fewer "challenges."

I would be only too happy to meet with you and let you know of the work the Diocese is doing with Sudanese refugees.

With best wishes,

Bishop Kevin Manning
Diocese of Parramatta