There are fears hundreds of people needing help to settle into life in Australia will be left in limbo after the closure of Catholic-operated refugee hub in New South Wales’ second largest city. Source: ABC News.
CatholicCare Social Services, which is part of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, closed its refugee hub and migration service on Friday.
It was headed by a licensed Registered Migration Agent (RMA), who provided free advice on immigration matters such as visa applications, refusals and cancellations.
Dominican Sr Diana Santleben, known locally as Sr Di, is the founder of Zara’s House in Jesmond, which helps women and children settle in Australia.
She said the closure would have a “devastating effect on the most disempowered people in the Hunter”.
“No registered migration agents in this region that I know about do pro bono work, except CatholicCare Social Services,” Sr Di said.
Sr Di estimated 90 per cent of the refugee families who lived in Newcastle were involved in a visa application case.
She said many were complex cases involving refugee families trying to bring children or aging parents left behind to Australia.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said more than 200 people would likely be affected and unable to access immigration services.
“I’m not aware of anyone that does migration agent work free of charge so that is what is deeply worrying,” she said.
In a statement on its website, CatholicCare Social Services said it made every effort to consider all options for the continuation of its refugee hub.
“CatholicCare receives no funding for this service and a recent government funding application was unsuccessful, meaning we had to consider the sustainability of this service for the long term,” the statement said.
“It is our priority to continue to support our current clients in the coming weeks to ensure all are connected with other suitable local support services.”
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Visa applicants in limbo as Newcastle’s CatholicCare refugee hub closes (By Romy Stephens, ABC News)
