Fairfield waits for help with refugee settlers
More than a month has passed since the Immigration Minister was invited to visit Fairfield during a maelstrom of controversial remarks, but the invitation so far has gone unheeded.
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More than a month has passed since the Immigration Minister was invited to visit Fairfield during a maelstrom of controversial remarks, but the invitation so far has gone unheeded.
The invitation, extended by Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone in writing, was made to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, after Fairfield became the focal point of a national debate to do with the rising number of refugee settlers in areas in need of more resources and infrastructure.
“I can tell you I sent a letter,” Cr Carbone said.
“We’re now waiting.”
The Fairfield Advance tried to contact Mr Dutton’s office but they had not replied to a request for comment at the time of publication.
Cr Carbone also sent letters to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with his advocacy on the issue being welcomed by most community locals.
However, the mayor’s work did not stop Councillor Paul Azzo from urging Cr Carbone to pursue the matter further.
“Mr Mayor, I understand that you have written to our Prime Minister and Premier ‒ well done on doing that, but we need to echo our message and also write to the other ministers directly,” Cr Azzo said.
“We need to seek extra funding and resources with regards to the extra intake of refugees who have made our city their new home.”
Cr Azzo asked Cr Carbone to write to NSW health, education, transport and community services ministers.
Within the past two years, about 7000 refugees from Iraq and Syria have settled in Fairfield City and housing has largely remained the same.
Cr Carbone recognised state and federal governments need to take action and said he’s appropriately campaigning for his constituency.
“The refugee matter is a State and Federal issue,” he said.
“My job is to be an advocate for my local residents.”