We should help people in need, even if they are not fellow citizens. Indeed, people seeking asylum often face other disadvantages because they are not citizens, such as being unable to access basic services or get benefits that the rest of us can get to survive. Many of our member organisations help both disadvantaged Australians and people seeking asylum, because they respond to need, not to nationality.
There are many problems in our society, but it would be wrong to think that we can only address one problem at a time. Even if we could, having more resources wouldn’t solve problems such as poverty and homelessness. Addressing these requires more than just resources, but changes to the way our society works.
It would also be wrong to assume that refugees are a ‘drain’ on resources, because refugees contribute to our society greatly.
