(L-R) Dr Vincent Ogu, Dr Amad Mtashar, Hon Anne Stanley, Hon Shayne Nuemann, Kamalle Dabboussy
Western Sydney MRC had the privilege to meet with Hon Shayane Nuemann, The Shadow Minister for Immigration and The Hon Anne Stanely, Member for Werriwa at the Federal Parliament.
Members of Western Sydney MRC were excited to have been hosted by Ms Anne Stanely, Member for Werriwa, at Federal Parliament today. Chair of WSMRC, Dr Vincent Ogu, Board Member Dr Amad Mtashar OAM, and CEO, Kamalle Dabboussy, meet with the Shadow Minister for Immigration, Hon Shayne Nuemann, Shadow Treasurer Hon Chris Bowen and with Chris Hayes Member for Fowler.
As Australia’s oldest MRC, we have been active in supporting communities in Liverpool and its catchment for close to 40 years. We have consistently had a presence in Western Sydney and our name change reflects this reality. Being from Western Sydney, we and our communities have unique skills and abilities that can benefit the broader community. Speaking to our plans for the future, we also canvassed concerns that our communities have in policies and programs that affect them.
Of central discussion was the upcoming Community Support Program – business sponsorship for refugees – which the community have had some concerns about. Also discussed was the need for more flexible approaches in the whole immigration program, and the role of immigration in nation-building.
Western Sydney MRC was one of the 5 Approved Provider Organisations under the Community Proposal Pilot, which has been halted in favour of the newly announced Community Support Program. Western Sydney MRC had sponsored 730 applicants to get humanitarian visas in cooperation with the respective families – it was from this experience, and feedback from community, that Western Sydney MRC spoke from, building on our experience and evidence.
Western Sydney MRC received support and thanks for the grass roots work we undertake with communities and the need for a well managed organisation like our to support disadvantaged communities” Kamalle Dabboussy, CEO, Western Sydney MRC
We were also fortunate to be in the House of Representatives when it was announced that the proposed changes to citizenship had failed, which Western Sydney MRC had made a submission to on behalf of communities in opposition to the existing changes.
Western Sydney MRC is continuing to meet with Members of Federal and State Parliament and with Local Government to promote the strengths and the concerns of the communities we work with and that of the organisation.
