Nine long years in the waiting!

Our Federal Government finally accepts New Zealand’s gracious humanitarian offer to resettle refugees stuck in detention. The NZ Government first offered this compassionate pathway in 2013. While we can be thankful for the belated relief for the 450 refugees that will make it to NZ over the next three years, imagine the difference in their lives had they been able to settle years ago, avoiding the horror of enduring detention.

New Zealand Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the country’s offer to take refugees reflected its humanitarian spirit.

“We are pleased to be able to provide resettlement outcomes for refugees who would otherwise have continued to face uncertain futures,” the Minister said.

The UNHCR Regional Representative for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Adrian Edwards, gets it right. While welcoming the belated deal, he said hundreds of refugees would still remain stranded in detention in Australia. 

“For the refugees and asylum seekers, the prolonged uncertainty of their situation has taken an enormous toll,” Mr Edwards said.

This is such good news for those who will make it across the ditch, but many more refugees will remain stranded here in detention, continuing to suffer inhumane treatment. Our Federal Government could stop this today!

May the Kiwi humanitarian spirit rub off on our Federal Government, even in the run up to an election!