SYDNEY: Representatives from the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) attended the 2022-2023 Humanitarian Program Community Consultation, hosted by the Hon. Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs, to discuss key issues related to Australia’s refugee intake.
The meeting was attended by ANC-AU Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian, who was provided an opportunity to present the key concerns of the Armenian-Australian community to the Minister for Immigration and the Department of Home Affairs regarding Australia’s Humanitarian Program.
Minister Giles briefed attendees with the major changes to the 2022-2023 Australian Humanitarian Program under the new Albanese-led Labor Government, before hearing the key concerns raised by those present.
In his statement to the Minister, Kolokossian congratulated Giles on his appointment as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs and thanked the Ministry and Department of Home Affairs for inviting the Armenian National Committee of Australia to partake in the important forum.
Following extensive consultation with the Armenian Resource Centre of Australia’s Resettlement Coordinator, Anne Gharibian, Kolokossian raised several issues of concern regarding the persecution and disadvantages faced by Christian Armenians living in Syria, Iraq and across the Middle East.
Furthermore, with respect to Australia’s Humanitarian Program, Kolokossian suggested amendments to the Community Support Program (CSP), backed by the Armenian Resource Centre of Australia, which would grant more Armenians from the Middle East the ability to seek refuge in Australia should they wish to do so.
Kolokossian also addressed the backlog of visa applications that are currently waiting to be processed in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan and requested that the Minister and Department consider reviewing these applications as a matter of urgency.
The meeting was attended by leaders from a broad range of prominent religious and ethnic community organisations across New South Wales and representatives from non-governmental refugee agencies including the Refugee Council of Australia.
"On behalf of the Armenian-Australian community, I would like to thank the Minister and his team for listening to the concerns of the ANC-AU and the Armenian-Australian community. We look forward to working with the Minister to ensure better outcomes for Armenians in the Middle East seeking refuge in Australia," Kolokossian said.
In conjunction with the Armenian Resource Centre of Australia, the ANC-AU will be providing the Minister and the Department of Home Affairs with a written submission regarding our community’s suggestions and concerns for the 2022-2023 Humanitarian Program.
Kolokossian was joined by Armenian-Australian City of Willoughby Councillor, Sarkis Mouradian at the Consultation.