Refugee supporters will join today\u2019s (Thursday 9 April) \u201cNo one left behind\u201d car convoy protest in Sydney.<\/p>\n
At least two refugee-supporting cars will be part of the protest convoy crossing the Sydney harbour bridge to converge on the NSW Parliament House at 4.15pm.<\/p>\n
The refugee activists are calling for the immediate release of all immigration detainees from hotels and detention centres, as well for all refugees and people seeking asylum who are on bridging, temporary protection and Safe Haven Enterprise visas (SHEV) to have financial support and be included in COVID-19 Job Keeper and Job Seeker Safety Net schemes and have access to Medicare.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the government claims that \u2018We are all in this together,\u2019 the reality is that refugees and asylum seekers are being left behind. Everyone must be included in the government\u2019s support package. Everyone must be safe,\u201d said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most vulnerable people need the most support. Refugees and asylum seekers on bridging and temporary protection visas who lose their job are being left destitute. At the time of the coronavirus, it is critical that everyone is able to readily access Medicare. Their health and public health demands they can get medical treatment when they need it, and they are financially supported if they need to self-isolate.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/a>The car convoy protest is taking place as more than 200 immigration detainees continue a hunger strike in Sydney\u2019s Villawood detention centre and Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation calling for release, a coronavirus testing regime and greater protection measures inside the detention centres.<\/p>\n