In response to the turmoil in Afghanistan, Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie will host a forum to discuss the plight of asylum seekers.

An afternoon with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre will be held in McLaren Vale on Wednesday 13 October.

“Recent events in Afghanistan make us truly appreciate how fortunate we are to be living in a country such as Australia,” Ms Sharkie says.

“Watching the final days of Australian troop withdrawals and attempts to evacuate Afghan citizens was distressing and reinforced how dangerous the country has become.

“There are now 4,427 recognised Afghan refugees living in Australia on temporary visas and we must, in good conscience, provide permanent residency visas to every single one of these refugees.”

Ms Sharkie says a conversation with Kon Karapanagiotidis, Chief Executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, prompted her to ask the Minister for Home Affairs when the Government would transfer those holding temporary visas to permanent residency visas. 

“Afghanistan is an unstable and dangerous war zone. It is inhumane to send these people back and emotionally damaging to have them live with uncertainty.”

Kon Karapanagiotidis and Jana Favero, Director Advocacy and Campaigns, will speak at the forum, at the McLaren Vale Institute Supper Room from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Register to attend via Rebekha Sharkie’s website.