Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate recognises the work of the Welcome to Eltham community campaign in Victoria, which has strongly demonstrated the values of generosity and inclusion in their efforts to welcome 120 Syrian refugees who will be resettled in the area in the coming weeks.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's generous refugee and humanitarian program is only made possible by the coalition's strong and consistent border protection policies. Australia's settlement services are delivered by humanitarian settlement service providers under contract to the Department of Social Services. This department advises there are no current plans to use St Vincent's Health Australia health and aged-care facility as short-term accommodation for newly arrived refugees. The government acknowledges the good intentions of members of the Eltham community to welcome people settled through our refugee and humanitarian program. The government does not support some advocated positions which would compromise the integrity of our borders. The government does not oppose this motion in that we recognise the importance of community support generally to the successful resettlement of refugees.

Question agreed to.