Stepping up welcome
GOLD Coast support groups have put up their hands to support hundreds of Syrian and Iraqi refugees fleeing war-torn homelands.
The groups will follow the Premier’s lead and welcome the Syrian and Iraqi refugees at a walk through Southport today.
Organisers of the Walk Together march through the Broadwater Parklands – one of 25 events across the country – expect hundreds to turn out.
It follows Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement this week that Queensland is “ready and able to settle” up to 3500 refugees.
It is unclear exactly how many the Gold Coast will receive but Access Community Services CEO Gail Ker said up to 300 could settle here.
“At the moment we are waiting to see what the Federal Government will allocate,” Ms Ker said.
“At this stage it looks like there will be a few hundred on the Gold Coast, just before or after Christmas.
“We are ready for them.”
She said the Premier’s announcement “unleashed positive support” ahead of the Walk Together at 11am today.
Ms Ker said the Syrian and Iraqi refugees were undergoing rigorous processing in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.
“It won’t be rushed,” she said. “The Government has strong screening processes.”
Access is responsible for setting up accommodation for the refugees.
“We set up the leases for them and teach household management and they are supported until Centrelink payments kick in,” she said.
She said most of the refugees would initially be housed in Southport but that wasn’t necessarily where they would stay.
“We like to organise housing close to TAFEs so they can learn English, and public transport is a big factor,” Ms Ker said.
Earlier this week the Premier revealed she had written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to tell him Queensland had the will and the resources to provide homes and new lives for up to 3500 Syrian refugees.
“I always said we would take our fair share but this offer exceeds that,” she said.
The multicultural celebration will continue tomorrow with the Gold Coast Multicultural Festival.
Last year the festival broke its record with more than 50,000 visitors.