Changes by the Federal Government to the SRSS (Status Resolution Support Services)  program are concerning many Victorian Councils as it will cut all income and case management support of many people seeking asylum and dramatically increase the demand for material aid resources at the local municipality level. This action will likely leave many people destitute and requests for places to live, money for clothes, food and medicine, will only escalate and there will likely be an impact on social cohesion.  Within Victoria alone, the number at risk from these changes is 5,863.  

Following the SRSS Mayoral Roundtable held in Dandenong on Tuesday, 31st July to discuss joint advocacy against these changes as well as pratical responses a group of Victorian Councils formed the Victorian Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum.

It’s purpose:

‘Coordination of joint state-wide advocacy by Victorian Councils and sharing resources and practical responses by Victorian communities to the issues caused by the SRSS cuts’

Chaired by the Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong the following Councils so far are involved as Executive Members:

Brimbank, Darebin, Greater Dandenong, Monash, Moreland and Yarra.

and the following as General Members:

Cardinia, Port Phillip, Whittlesea and Wyndham.

If your Council are interested in joining the Taskforce, or just want further information please contact Peter Johnstone, Coordinator, Community Development, City of Greater Dandenong –  peter.johnstone@cgd.vic.gov.au