Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman is leading the charge in responding to the swelling refugee crisis in Syria, as the LNP MP claimed “our door’s open” to refugees, according to ABC News.
Hodgman announced Tasmania would be offering 500 extra places to asylum seekers, under Safe Haven Enterprise visas – in which those eligible must settle in the State for five years.
Will Hodgman said implementing the new places was a matter of breaking down costs in deals with the Federal Government.
“The indicative advice we have got and indeed the position I’ve put to the Federal Government is we could take potentially around 500 new applicants under the safe haven visa program.
It shows we are keen to not only boost our population but show a humanitarian approach to dealing with what is a terrible global problem.”
The news follows a campaign sparked by Greens leader Richard Di Natale yesterday, calling for the Government to do more for those displaced and fleeing from Syria. “If the Prime Minister has a shred of decency or compassion, now is the time to show it,” Di Natale said yesterday.
From little things, big things grow. Here’s to Tasmania for leading the way with an important first step, recognising that we have boundless plains to share.
via ABC.
Lead image by Matt Cardy via Getty.
