Before council business began at the meeting on Monday, September 25, Debbie Rayner, the chairperson of the Lithgow Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support (LASARS) group delivered a speech to council drawing on her own experience gaining residency in Australia while living in Lithgow.
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“No one will ever say Lithgow is not welcoming,” Ms Rayner said.
“Refugees are not known as refugees in our town, they are known as residents... Lithgow is able to give a place for refugees to become Australians.”
The speech preceded a recommendation to council to sign a Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration. LASARS has collected 300 signatures in a petition to council to become a Refugee Welcome Zone.
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The declaration is an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia and invites Local Government Areas to make a public commitment to welcome and acknowledge the presence of refugees in the local community. Currently, 148 LGAs are signatories in Australia including Bathurst and Parkes.
“This declaration is a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into our community, upholding the human rights of refugees, demonstrating compassion for refugees and enhancing cultural and religious diversity in our community,” the declaration reads.
While the Refugee Council of Australia encourages signatories of the declaration to take action in supporting refugees in their community, the declaration does not confer any formal obligations on councils to uphold any statutory responsibilities or financial commitments.
Ms Rayner said that while the declaration is largely symbolic, it is the first step for residents and professionals in Lithgow who are interested in or already working with refugees to create a support network.
“We have refugees living in Lithgow who don’t know that they are welcome and it is a way of recognising them and those who are working with refugees in the town. Many people don’t realise refugees are here, and Lithgow is already helping,” Ms Rayner said.
The council voted on Monday night to defer the decision to sign the declaration until further research was performed by council.
“I’ve naturalised many refugees in Lithgow, some who are here tonight. I’m very happy to see them here and be working with them but I think we need to realise this is a report that has come to council and ask if it is possible to get a little bit more information as to what the commitment is from our council,” Cr Maree Statham said.
“The report is clear it doesn’t need to be deferred. We need the courage to stand by our principles and vote accordingly,” Cr Cas Coleman replied before Cr Stephen Lesslie and herself voted against the amendment to defer the decision.
Ms Rayner said she was happy with the outcome of Monday night’s meeting.
“Well, the worst didn’t happen. I totally understand the councillors have six weeks of items to get through and to defer it so they can do more research is fine. I’m glad they’ll have the chance to re-address it.”
