I have been moved to paper on behalf of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) because of my personal outrage at the latest directive from the Department of Home Affairs and to keep you informed. It is difficult to imagine but the situation has become dire for the people seeking asylum now in Australia who still, after five years, are waiting for their claims for protection to be finalised.

Many men, women and children have been denied the right to work, have had no access to Medicare and have had to survive on minimal financial support. They have had to rely on charities for basics like food and housing. Now the Minister is making life even harder by dramatically changing access to the basic financial support some were receiving.

From not being allowed to work, people with families, young people studying, thousands who have fled fear and terror, are now expected to find work within 7 days or be at risk of immediate destitution.

Government hurdles created now for people seeking asylum exclude them from making any sort of contribution, and appear to be designed to make them fail. I believe this lack of welcome, of fairness, and of care is in sharp contrast to the “fair go” nation we have always prided ourselves on being.

The ASRC is always there for people seeking asylum needing legal, health, food, housing and knowledge for living in a new land, and rely on us all to give what we can to help finance arrangements that must be made.

This is our Australia. We have a strong history of supporting people who come here to seek freedom from fear and oppression. We are a wealthy and advanced country and must return to an ethical and decent policy towards those less well off than ourselves. Care and consideration build a sense of belonging and home which is key to happy resettlement and a strong and vibrant society.

So I am asking you to support the ASRC by making a tax-deductable donation by the 30th of June in order to fund food, housing and healthcare services for men and women who have nowhere else to turn.

My husband Malcolm was a great admirer and supporter of the ASRC. His portrait is on the long outside wall of ASRC with the word “HOPE” beside it. Please give as much as you are able so ASRC can continue to give hope.

Yours sincerely,

Tamie Fraser