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Anjani Kolleri and Gayithri Radhakrishnan from Narthanalaya Indian Music and Dance School perform Bharatanatyam dance at a Refugee Week event at The Castle on 13 June. (Rob Carew: 558587)
Rising anxiety als, but acknowledged there was a hostile “loud minority”. The mayor pointed to Greater Dandenong’s unique make-up – more than half of its residents were born overseas. It is home to the state’s second-highest number of residents on bridging visas. She said as part of Refugee Week, we should remember “these people are your neighbours” and “they are real people”.
“This could easily be your family, and they are not the reason for the hardships you face. “Migrants play a vital role in Australia’s economy and society,” she said. Bruce MP and Assistant Multicultural Affairs Minister Julian Hill said the “vast majority” of refugee applicants are refused due to “capacity limits”. “But we can value those lucky enough to come here – they’re some of our most entrepreneurial
Australians who have a crack at starting businesses and work hard to build the country and give their kids a better life.” Asylum Seeker Resource Centre deputy chief executive Jana Favero said migrants and refugees were “too often being used as scapegoats”. “Political leaders must stop acting as though cruelty is a measure of strength.” For more stories on Refugee Week, turn to pages 14 and 15
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During this Refugee Week, Greater Dandenong mayor Sophie Tan has launched a strong defence of multiculturalism – which has become the target of increasingly fierce political fire. A survey released by AMES Australia suggests migrants and refugees are feeling rising anxiety as political parties such as One Nation take aim at migration levels. Cr Tan says most residents are “very compassionate” about the challenges faced by new arriv-