Chris Hayes (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last night I spoke about the only good that has come from the devastating images of a toddler's lifeless body being washed up onto the beaches of Turkey is that the world is finally paying attention. Given what we are seeing unfold in the Middle East, the largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, there is an overwhelming imperative for bipartisan support to be applied by this parliament. Many European countries are already opening their doors to tens of thousands of refugees against a backdrop of the UNHCR estimating that now 366,000 refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe so far this year. Sadly, at least 3,000 people have already died making that treacherous journey.

The magnitude of this humanitarian crisis is staggering, with more than half of Syria's 23-million population currently displaced and five million seeking refuge in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. More than half of the United Nations aid budget is now being directed to assist the displaced people of Syria. Hopefully that gives us some indication of the size and devastation of this crisis. The number of refugees that have already flooded into Lebanon almost equates to half the country's population, with Jordan and Turkey also making substantial contributions. These countries are certainly carrying more than their fair share in this humanitarian crisis. They are struggling to deal with the numbers involved. As a consequence, they are now moving to heavily manage their borders, which, in turn, is making it more difficult for people to seek safe haven in these countries.

Late last year, the member for Berowra, the Father of the House, and I visited refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. We saw first-hand the despair, the lack of hope that exists in those camps. I spoke to many refugees, mainly women and children, and their consistent view was they just want to go home. They want to be able to return back to their homeland in Syria and pick up where they left off. I do not think you can spend time with people in those camps and come away unaffected.

What started as a protest movement in 2011 in Syria has now developed into a full-scale civil war. Even so, it was widely believed that the Syrian conflict would only last for a short period. This was apparent in the design and construction of the UN camps, like the one Philip Ruddock and I visited in Zaatari in Jordan. The camp was built to provide accommodation for people for a three-month period. Four years later, there is no end in sight to the conflict, the people are still in the camp and still there is no hope of going home.

The various UN agencies, Save the Children and others, are doing a fantastic job and we should all be proud of that. But they are struggling with the enormity of the task of looking after millions of people. Against that, the UNHCR estimates that this year the budget for its humanitarian work will be 10 per cent less. Therefore, it was certainly very welcome when the Prime Minister announced today an additional $44 million of extra funding to aid those agencies. This is most welcome. It will certainly provide much needed relief for those agencies delivering such vital work that are currently under strain.

Given the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis, I know that 12,000 additional places for Syrian refugees might sound like a drop in the ocean, but, considered as part of the global effort, it is a very significant initiative and shows our desire as a nation to make a difference. It is only right that Australia should continue to work with other countries and the UN Security Council to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict; as peace will not be achieved through military action. This will be the best long-term solution and will allow people to return home.

Along with many Australians, including all those that turned up at candlelight vigils, I think the action taken today is right, it is just and it is the action of a compassionate nation.

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