AMES. Regional Settlement. An analysis of four settlement locations in Victoria

Transcription

1 AMES Regional Settlement An analysis of four settlement locations in Victoria Prepared by AMES Research and Policy Unit May 2011

2 AMES thanks the participants in Mildura, Swan Hill, Ballarat and Bendigo for generously sharing their knowledge in focus groups and individual interviews, and Cindy Tran, Nanthu Kunoo, Mirta Saponja and Hilary Bucumi for organising the consultations. Thanks to Dr Melika Yassin Sheikh-Eldin for overseeing and conducting the research, and Terry Taylor who worked closely with Melika on the project. Barb Mouy provided editorial support AMES Research and Policy Unit

3 AMES Full participation for all in a cohesive and diverse society For the past 60 years AMES has worked to support refugees and newly arrived migrants to settle successfully. AMES works with local, state and federal governments, business and communities to provide individual pathways for our clients to achieve full economic and social participation. AMES works with more than 50,000 clients a year in Victoria and is the largest provider of settlement, education and employment services to refugees and newly arrived migrants in Australia. We are the only organisation that provides all of these three primary services to multicultural communities. AMES is currently contracted by DIAC to provide direct settlement services through the Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (HSS) across all of metropolitan Melbourne and rural and regional Victoria. The AMES Consortium is also contracted by DIAC to deliver the Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP) across rural Victoria and in most metropolitan regions. AMES large client base of refugees and migrants and our concurrent provision of services provide a broad and unique perspective of our clients experiences. This allows us to continuously improve services and create new programs to assist clients in their settlement. AMES shares our experience in the development of innovative language learning, settlement and employment programs and resources with sector and government agencies across Australia and internationally. AMES maintains strong links with new, emerging and established communities that keep us connected with current developments in clients settlement and with any issues facing members of our multicultural community.

4 AMES Research and Policy Unit AMES activity is informed by building our knowledge and evidence base through applied research undertaken by our Research and Policy Unit. Our research and practical experience has led to the development of programs that are shared with an extensive network of metropolitan and regional Victoria partners. This evidence base is also used to provide input to government policy in areas that affect refugees and migrants. The Research and Policy Unit works with AMES service divisions to identify trends and issues that impact on the delivery of settlement, education and employment programs and provides tracking of initiatives implemented for the benefit of clients. The Unit also works with external research partners. The Unit s ability to communicate directly with a large number of newly arrived refugees and migrants means that AMES can monitor the effectiveness of current policies and practice by government and other agencies that impact on AMES client groups. Page 2 of 59

5 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 4 INTRODUCTION... 7 BACKGROUND... 8 THE CONSULTATION THE SETTLEMENT LOCATIONS Ballarat Bendigo Mildura Swan Hill FINDINGS Infrastructure Employment Housing Health Education Summary of findings Bonding capital: capacity of settler community Bridging capital: capacity of host community CONCLUSION REFERENCES APPENDIX APPENDIX Page 3 of 59

6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Resettlement is a process of change, transition and adjustment. To better understand the settlement experiences of refugee and humanitarian entrants and the capacity of host communities to support new arrivals, AMES consulted with new settlers in four regional centres - Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura and Swan Hill - in late This report provides AMES, local governments and service providers with information on the resettlement experiences of refugees from Togo and Sudan in Ballarat, Karen from Burma in Bendigo and Afghans and Iraqis in Mildura and Swan Hill. The voices of these settlers are an important insight for guiding and enhancing current and future initiatives aimed at creating employment opportunities and maintaining the successful resettlement of newly arrived humanitarian entrants to rural and regional areas. Community focus groups and individual interviews were held with community members to gather their perspectives on settlement and the host community s assets. The focus groups were open to all refugee and humanitarian settlers, including young people and school age children. The questions were structured in accordance with AMES s settlement framework, past research and attention to regional settlement issues, including local infrastructure; the capacity of the settler communities; and the capacity of the host community. Findings The new settlers in Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura, and Swan Hill were building on their strengths and qualities they acquired during their long journey to Australia - such as resilience, adaptability and resourcefulness. The majority were enjoying living in their new locations - it is a nice place with many friendly people. It is safe for children and there is no violence. They wished to stay and were very keen to sponsor their families to join them. English language acquisition was a prime challenge for many adult settlers and bilingual services were often requested to support their ongoing settlement. All of the regional cities were proving to be welcoming and able host communities. They offered well-established infrastructure for resettlement programs, with key strengths in health care services, relatively affordable housing, and primary and secondary schools for children and young people. Supportive and professional maternal and child health nurses and general practitioners consistently impressed the settlers consulted in the study. As primary health services are a critical point of contact for many families, additional numbers of women practitioners (either GPs or Refugee Health Nurses) may better address many of the expressed health needs of the women settlers. Page 4 of 59

7 The settling communities faced many of the same issues as other local residents with respect to transport and employment. Their lack of convenient mobility was expressed as an issue consistently across all locations. Without access to private cars most were reliant upon walking or public transport to access most services and activities in their regional centre. Taxis were considered expensive and were generally used only in emergencies. Those in housing close to the CBD and services had fewer difficulties. However the majority of the settlers lived in the outer areas of the towns, where public transport services can be few and infrequent. There was strong interest in gaining individual driving licenses and buying a community bus to overcome the limited transport options. The greatest challenge expressed by settlers in each location was access to secure employment. All settlers expressed a strong desire to have any job. In Bendigo where an employer provided assistance to new employees in conjunction with other services the new settlers appeared to achieve better employment outcomes than in other regional centres. All settlers valued the existence of strong ethnic communities to assist in their adjustment to unfamiliar environments and for maintaining their ethnic identity. Issues around sponsorship - low rate of success and cost - were a concern to communities in all locations. The women in all locations were interested to organise women s groups to address many of their personal issues, gain support and link with other women in the community. The settling communities in all locations were benefiting from the work and support of key professionals, volunteers and institutions such as churches and schools. They were all extremely appreciative of the efforts and support by these individuals who had helped make a difficult transition easier. The ability to form new friendships and connections with local communities takes time, hence there is a strong reliance on finding ways that relationships can be bridged by common beliefs (religion), interests (such as sport), and with the assistance of service providers to ensure socially inclusive community venues and events. Children and young people were enthusiastic about joining in sport and recreation activities; however, constrained by the costs. As for any families moving to new locations, children and young people can be bridge builders for adults into community activities. Schools are key institutions, as are sport and recreational activities, which act as an icebreaker not only for children and young people but also their families and the wider community to gain a greater understanding and acceptance of one another. Page 5 of 59

8 Conclusions The issues and solutions identified by participants in this consultation are constructive reflections on a challenging transition. Together and independently service providers and settlers can tackle these challenges with persistence and creative responses. AMES is supporting the providers and settlers by addressing three thematic issues arising from this consultation, which will also inform future regional settlement locations. The three themes are: leadership, employment and critical mass. Leadership There are two dimensions to leadership that contribute to successful settlement: leadership within the settling community and leadership in the host community. AMES recommends settlement service providers and local governments recognise this in their planning and offer leadership development and mentorship for both settlers and members of the host communities. The leadership provided by individuals in settler communities and host communities should also be rewarded by formal community recognition. Employment Finding satisfying employment is a cornerstone of successful settlement in any place. AMES and other settlement services are acutely aware of this; however, in the context of regional settlement it is worth re-emphasising its importance. The settlers all recognised the criticality of having a job, not just for economic and social benefits, but also for self-worth and gaining a sense of belonging in their new home. AMES recommends that the employment strategy for the Karen-born settlers in Bendigo be used as an exemplar for AMES, HSS providers and local employment agencies to engage with employers in all settlement locations. Critical mass In all locations the overall numbers of new settlers is still relatively small, particularly when divided into ethnic origins. Some of the new settlers have rural backgrounds; low literacy levels in their own language, and have suffered tremendous hardships prior to arriving in Australia. Hence, their needs are complex and easy access to HSS and other services, including bilingual support, is crucial to facilitate their settlement. AMES acknowledges the importance of balancing need and opportunity in the context of regional settlement; however, recommends that where possible developing a critical mass for settling communities is a goal. This approach is based on accommodating the limited capacities of local services to adapt to new and significant service demands and also on benefiting the settlers by offering greater access to services that will facilitate their settlement. Page 6 of 59

9 INTRODUCTION The regional settlement of refugee and humanitarian entrants in rural and regional Victoria is a challenging social policy that has the potential to pave the way for future settlement patterns in Australia. It is critical that the complex process of settlement is understood to realise the potential benefits to refugee communities and host communities alike. To better understand the settlement experiences of refugee and humanitarian entrants and the capacity of host communities to support these new arrivals, AMES consulted with new settlers in four regional cities - Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura and Swan Hill - in late AMES provides specialist services for newly arrived refugees and migrants in Australia and has been the lead agency supporting initial settlement programs in Victoria. This report provides AMES, local government and service providers with information on the settlement experiences of refugees from Togo and Sudan in Ballarat, Karen from Burma in Bendigo and Afghans and Iraqis in Mildura and Swan Hill. The voices of these settlers are an important insight for guiding and enhancing current and future initiatives aimed at maintaining the successful settlement of newly arrived humanitarian entrants in rural and regional areas. The four communities have now responded to many of the concerns raised throughout the consultations. Appendix 2 provides a sample of some of the actions undertaken to address the settlers issues. Page 7 of 59

10 BACKGROUND Regional settlement in Victoria Since 2003, the regional settlement of refugees and humanitarian entrants has been promoted by a number of national, state and local government policies. Prior to 2003, most regional humanitarian settlement had been unplanned. The new approach based on specific immigration related policy initiatives by the Australian government, provided opportunities for the Victorian government to facilitate regional and community development through a range of migration programs. Following a successful regional skilled settlement pilot in Shepparton in 2005, the Victorian and Commonwealth governments extended their programs to incorporate recently arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants. At around the same time, commencing in late 2004, other regional City Councils also released a migrant attraction and retention population strategy to ensure a coordinated and planned approach to welcoming new settlers. While this strategy was initially focused on skilled migration it now extends to humanitarian settlement programs. These policies have been premised upon a win-win scenario for refugees settling and host communities. However, positive benefits do not come without considerable effort from both settlers and hosts. Research has shown that regional resettlement is complex with a range of interacting issues that need to be factored into supporting programs. These include and are not limited to: the nature of the refugee experience for each settler group and their special needs as distinct from other migrant groups the availability of employment, stable housing and support services the involvement of refugees in the design and development of resettlement programs the capacity of regional communities to build ties and engage with new comers of different backgrounds (Taylor J. 2005; McDonald et al. 2008; Piesker & Tilbury, 2003; Piper M. & Associates 2009). Page 8 of 59

11 Understanding settlement Settlement is a complex process and of indeterminate length. In policy terms it is simply defined as the period of adjustment that migrants experience before they can fully participate in Australia s culturally diverse society (DIAC, 2005). AMES understands the process of settlement by examining four key social and economic determinants for successful settlement. As outlined in the AMES Settlement Framework these are: Health and well being: good physical and mental health; access to key community and government services and resources; involvement in settler and host community activities Education: English language proficiency; access to education: pre-schools, schools, further education and training Employment: access to social security and employment services; supportive and safe workplaces; secure employment Safety and security: safe, secure accommodation; freedom from violence and discrimination; bonding capital: with settler community; bridging capital: with host community. By supporting the settlement process for refugees and their host community s capacities, AMES assists in the achievement of short- and medium-term settlement outcomes as well as monitoring the long-term transition to social inclusion. Page 9 of 59

12 THE CONSULTATION Gaining the perspectives of settlers Community focus groups and individual interviews were held with community members to gather their perspectives on settlement. The community focus groups were open to all refugee and humanitarian settlers including first and secondary waves of settlement. Participation was invited through letters and word of mouth. The focus groups ran between two and three hours and were held in a comfortable community venue with easy access for the elderly, disabled and people with prams. Separate focus groups with young people and school children were held to enable them to make a contribution from their perspectives and experiences. They also participated in the adult focus groups where possible. The individual interviews were between 45 minutes and one hour and took place in private in a comfortable community setting or in a settler's home. An AMES researcher using first language facilitation where this was required conducted the interviews. Experienced AMES Community Guides acted as first language facilitators. The DIAC evaluations of regional settlement and various reports on Regional Humanitarian Settlement Pilots ( ) and other independent research, informed the study. Questions were structured in accordance with AMES Settlement Framework, past research and with attention to regional settlement issues, including local infrastructure; the capacity of the settler communities; and the capacity of the host community (See Appendix 1 for interview questions). Local infrastructure: capacity of the local community to provide essential services to support refugee settlement How suitable is the available housing, in terms of size, location, affordability Is employment available; has the interviewee or family member been employed Are health services available and adequate to the needs of the settlers Are education services - AMEP, schools, other - meeting the needs of the settlers Capacity of settler community: critical mass to create a sustainable community and provide an anchor for new settlers Have any of the settlers sponsored new families What events, sporting activities, committees and groups if any, are organised within the community Has the community created any employment opportunities Page 10 of 59

13 Capacity of host community and bridging capital: involvement of the Local Council and preparedness of the local community to welcome and support settlers What services or programs does the Local Council provide for settlers Local volunteer groups - do they consult with settlers about how they might best help Any other local groups, businesses, churches/religious groups who respond to needs of settlers Do any settlers participate in mainstream events, and/or host community in settler events Is there a sense of well-being and belonging (safety and security) in the settler community Participants Settlers who had arrived in the period from 2006 to early 2009 were identified from the AMES data-base. The interviews and focus groups targeted people who had been settled in Australia for more than 8 months at the time of the interviews, with a view to gathering input from settlers who had had some time to experience life in Australia. However, people were keen to participate and a number of people not invited in the first instance self-selected to participate in both the focus groups and the individual interviews. This means that the study includes input from people who had been resident in the four locations for less than eight months. Participants in interviews and focus groups BENDIGO BALLARAT SWAN HILL MILDURA ADULTS male 14 female male 11 female 22 4 male 18 female 16 6 male 10 female YOUTH 5 4 male 1 female 3 2 male 1 female 15 9 male 6 female male 5 female CHILDREN 9 2 male 7 female 7 3 male 4 female 4 1 male 3 female 10 8 male 2 female BACKGROUND Karen - majority Togolese - 28 Sudanese - 3 Afghan - 28 Sudanese - 13 Afghan - 29 Iraqi - 11 Kurdish - 1 ARRIVAL DATE Page 11 of 59

14 THE SETTLEMENT LOCATIONS The following section looks at both the resources of the host communities in the four locations examined and at the experiences and perceptions of the settler communities. Resources of the host communities include infrastructure, settlement services, Local Government services and the local population. The notes on the backgrounds and experiences of the settler communities prior to arrival in Australia are provided as a context for views expressed during the forums and individual interviews. The Host Communities Host communities are critical for successful settlement. They must not only be welcoming but able to provide infrastructure, such as housing, employment, and health services for new settlers who face many practical and emotional issues throughout their settlement process. Consequently, careful consideration of the characteristics and needs of both the host community and the settling persons are required (UNHCR 2002). For instance, the location of new settlers in host communities must take into account the proximity of shops, schools and hospitals, the availability of childcare facilities, the reliability of telecommunications and the availability and reliability of public transport as new settlers will initially be heavily reliant upon these services. In addition, host communities welcoming strategies need to facilitate new social networks for settlers that help create their sense of belonging, whilst providing opportunities for them to maintain their ethnic identity. The Settler Communities Small numbers of refugees had begun to move to regional centres prior to the DIAC Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy 1 (IHSS) delivered by AMES in Victoria. The more recent refugee arrivals and humanitarian entrants settling in the regional centres were consulted for this study. Before arriving in Australia, most of these latest settlers had been living in refugee camps, which exposed them to considerable hardships including: limited resources for daily living, fear of violence from raiders inside and outside the camps, and no support for recovering from traumas associated with their flight from their home countries. Consequently, the majority face considerable personal, cultural and social challenges in adapting to life in Australia. There is also great diversity within and between the settler communities, which will influence their settlement experience. Those settlers who have come from communal societies with complex social structures such as tribes, clans, and extended families can find the more individualistic and independent orientation of social life in Australia very difficult (Jaranson, Butcher, Johnson, et al 2004). In addition, while some have come from highly urbanized areas, many are from remote rural regions; some have tertiary qualifications and others are illiterate in their own language. Hence, deeper understanding of individual needs is important when planning settlement locations and services. 1 The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) provides intensive initial settlement support to newly arrived refugees and Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) entrants. The Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (HSS) program (commencement date April 2011) replaces the IHSS. Page 12 of 59

15 Ballarat Host Community The city of Ballarat has a population of just over 94,000 and is the third largest regional city in Victoria. It is approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. Ballarat had a prosperous economy based on mineral and agricultural resources and consequently has well-developed infrastructure and affordable accommodation. In the past, over 90 percent of Ballarat s population was of European background. Greater diversity is now emerging with over 700 people settling from nine different countries in the period 2003 to The Council s welcoming policy, which promotes greater inward migration, supports diversity across a range of strategies including a Multicultural Ambassadors Program and the activities of a Skilled Migration Coordinator. The employment opportunities in Ballarat have previously been assumed to be in the skilled category, with most employers in the retailing, manufacturing, education, health, community services, and information technology sectors. The new Central Highlands Settlement Planning Committee is exploring options for less skilled positions with local employers. Ballarat has an extensive acute and primary healthcare service system servicing the region. A Refugee Health Nurse at the Ballarat Community Health Centre supports Togolese and Sudanese settlers. Ballarat Health Services (BHS) offers a comprehensive range of specialist care across key medical and healthcare disciplines; however, as is the case for all public patients there may be long waiting times for specialist clinics. In addition, there are limited spaces for settlers with general practitioners who often have full client lists. While the BHS has a Cultural Diversity Committee that focuses on CALD clients and their particular needs, as is the case in many rural locations, first language support is an issue for many in the settling community. Ballarat University TAFE provides AMEP during working hours on weekdays and there are additional ESL non-accredited classes one day a week. There are places in preschools/kindergartens and with additional support by Ballarat Occasional Child Care parents can attend AMEP classes. All government schools which have children from settler families have ESL and welfare support from a well-resourced ESL Centre. Since 2009, 40 teachers in Ballarat have received training to support ESL students. Settler Communities Togolese Community The Togolese community originates from a small nation in West Africa and borders Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso. Native Africans constitute 99 per cent of Togo's total population, which was estimated at 6.6 million in The population comprises up to 30 different ethnic groups, with two major groups; namely, the Ewe in the South who constitute at least 46 per cent of the population and the Kabye in the North who make up to 22 per cent. French is the official language and used in government, and both Ewe and Kabye languages have semi-official status. Ewe has a much wider use than its ethnic boundaries. Page 13 of 59

16 Only one fifth of the population lives in Lomé, the capital, with the majority of Togolese living in rural settings. Commercial and subsistence agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, employing 65 per cent of the labour force. The largest religious groups in Togo are those with indigenous beliefs, but there are significant numbers of Christians and Muslim. Over the past two decades there have been two major outflows of refugees from Togo due to political turmoil. The first was in , with the displacement of approximately 300,000 Togolese; and the second in 2005, when another wave of about 40,000 people fled across Togo s borders. In the decade before 2007 there were only 20 Togolese migrants to Australia. Many of the Togolese refugees now arriving in Australia are from the first wave that was living in the Krisan camp in Ghana. The majority is of Ewe ethnicity and speaks Ewe, some French and is less likely to be familiar with English. Togolese families can be large and most will have come from rural areas and refugee camps with no experience of a modern urban lifestyle. Sudanese Community Sudan is the largest country on the African continent. Its neighbouring countries include: Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), Central African Republic Chad, and Libya. The estimated population of Sudan is over 41 million and there are nearly 600 ethnic groups that speak over 400 different languages. While there is considerable ethnic diversity in Sudan the population is often categorised into two major groups; Sudanese Africans in the South where animists/indigenous beliefs and Christianity prevail and Sudanese Arabs of the predominantly Muslim North. Arabic is the official language and the mother tongue of about half the population 2. Nubian and Ta Bedawie are also commonly spoken along with English, which in many cases serves as a lingua franca among the southern tribes. Two prolonged civil wars 3 since Sudanese independence in 1956 and further conflicts in the region of Darfur and with the Eastern Front have resulted in the killing of more than 1.5 million people and more than five million Sudanese seeking refuge in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. The Sudanese migrants resettling in Australia are primarily victims of the Second Sudanese Civil War, which ran from 1983 to However, before 2001 a number of skilled migrants from Sudan migrated to Australia. By 2005, the Sudanese were one of the fastest growing refugee groups in Australia comprising 33 per cent of the total number of arrivals in the years from 2002 to 2005 (DIAC, 2005). Since numbers of arrivals from Sudan have decreased, reflecting the changing profile of refugees and the government s response to humanitarian needs. Most Sudanese have settled in Victoria and New South Wales. Many of the Sudanese migrants are from rural areas and refugee camps and may have no experience of a modern urban lifestyle. Traditionally, kinship ties are close in Sudan and involve extended families - many significantly larger than the Australian norm. For instance, between more than 20 per cent of migrants were part of a family of six or more people. Of these 83 per cent identified with a Christian denomination, 12 per cent were Muslims and the rest identified as other or no religion (DIAC, 2007). 2 In January 2011, there was a referendum in Southern Sudan on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent. Over 98 per cent voted in favour of independence. 3 First Sudanese Civil War 1955 to 1972 and Second Sudanese Civil War Page 14 of 59

17 Bendigo Host Community Bendigo is a major regional city located around 150 kilometres northwest of Melbourne with a population of over 100,000. The city has a rich gold history, like Ballarat, that has shaped the region s cultural and economic growth. Hence, local infrastructure is adequate and appropriate for resettling refugees, both economically and socially. While only six percent of the population was born overseas, the City of Bendigo is openly supportive of refugee settlement and takes a leadership role in local, state and federal services multicultural services in the region. Bendigo offers a range of job opportunities for new settlers in the sectors of light industry, aged care and human services. For instance, the Hazeldene Chicken Farm is a specific employer of new settlers and employs a welfare officer to assist all new employees in the first three months. Rental housing is affordable and available for new settlers in Bendigo and often can be found in the same locality, which enables families to provide support to one another. Importantly, available rental housing is generally close to transport and shops. Bendigo Community Health Service (BCHS), an AMES partner for Humanitarian Settlement Services, ensures access to health and welfare services for new settlers and advocates on their behalf. Health services comprise an acute hospital with a 24-hour emergency service and a range of primary and allied health services, such as a refugee health nurse (starting in January 2011); general practitioners; maternal and child health; dental health; and women s health. The BCHS is working with many services to improve interpreting services and utilisation of these services by practitioners. The Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE provides English (ESL) classes (through the AMEP and other state funding) in Bendigo and Castlemaine and is well linked with community groups working with the settlers. Bendigo has a university campus and the expected range of private and public primary and secondary schools for a regional centre of it size. Settler Community In the region surrounding the City of Bendigo there are a small number of new settlers from Sudan and Burundi. In our consultation for this report only members of the Karen community settling in Bendigo were involved. Karen Community from Burma /Republic of the Union of Myanmar 4 Burma/Myanmar is the largest country in mainland South-East Asia and one of the poorest. It has a population estimated at around 50 million. The People s Republic of China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh and India are neighbouring countries. Burma/Myanmar is ethnically diverse with 135 distinct ethnic groups. These are often 4 Burma is derived from Bamar, which is the colloquial form of Myanmar. In 1989 the military government officially changed the English translation of Burma to Myanmar. The name change is not recognised by many ethnic groups in the country; however, various world entities have chosen to accept (e.g. UN) or reject (Australia, USA, UK) the name change. Page 15 of 59

18 grouped into eight major national ethnic groups, and the most widely spoken languages include Burmese, Karen, Kachin, Chin and Chinese. The primary culture and religion in Burma/Myanmar is Buddism; however a small percentage practice Christianity or Islam. Burma/Myanmar became a democratic republic following independence from British rule in However, democratic rule ended in 1962 following a military coup. The persecution of different groups and internal political and ethnic conflicts (largely between the Burman majority and other ethnic groups) has led to multiple exoduses particularly in 1962 and Since 1988 close to a million people have fled to neighbouring countries, predominantly to Thailand, Malaysia and India. Most humanitarian entrants from Burma have been living in camp environments prior to arrival in Australia and may have been in these conditions for over a decade. People of Karen ethnicity are the major group of new settlers in Bendigo and the majority of those are Christians. There are now more than two hundred Karen people from Burma/Myanmar living in Bendigo. More recent Karen settlers have come directly from camps in Thailand, and some have relocated from other places in Australia to live in Bendigo. Page 16 of 59

19 Mildura Host Community The city of Mildura includes a rural municipality that comprises the city as well as a number of other communities including Red Cliffs, Merbein, Irymple, Ouyen and Murrayville. The city s population is nearly 29,000 and the total surrounding resident population is over 53,000. Mildura has a diverse population with over 52 different cultural backgrounds. The area is notable for its irrigated horticulture (table grapes, wine grapes, dried grapes, citrus and vegetables), and other industries include: dryland farming, tourism, food and beverage manufacturing, transport and logistics, retail, health and community services. There are also emerging industries such as renewable energy generation, aquaculture, and mineral sands mining and recycling. Consequently, there are many skilled and unskilled job opportunities, particularly for tradespeople. For example, the development of a new marina is anticipated to create 400 jobs during the construction phase and 200 on-going positions; and mineral sands mining currently employ 200 people with another jobs likely to be advertised. Housing, while increasing in price over the past 10 years, remains affordable (both for renting and purchasing) and the median price is lower than Ballarat and Bendigo. Public transport services all areas within the city and shops and services are easily accessible. A refugee health nurse is available and some primary health care facilities provide multilingual staff. Acute and specialist health services are also provided. Sunraysia TAFE delivers the AMEP with classes tailored according to need - for example, women only classes have been held in the past. The Mildura English Language Centre supports schools in ESL; however, in 2010 there were no children attending classes. The TAFE and a Latrobe University Campus provide adult education options. Settler Communities Iraqi community From early times Iraq was known as Mesopotamia and is bounded by Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Iraq s population is estimated at over 29 million and ethnic groups comprise predominantly Arab (up to 80%), then Kurdish (nearly 20%), followed by smaller numbers of Turkoman, Assyrian, and other ethnic minorities. Arabic is the major language and Kurdish is spoken by approximately 20 per cent. Over the past 100 years, refugees fleeing Iraq have settled throughout the world. The more recent conflicts such as the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988, the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the first Gulf War and the 2003 American-led invasion have all generated millions of refugees. The UNHCR estimates over 4.7 million Iraqis have been displaced since the American-led invasion of Iraq. Page 17 of 59

20 Australia's Iraq-born population includes Kurds, Assyrians, Armenians, Turks, Turkmens and Jews. By the end of the Gulf War in 1991 the number of Iraq-born migrants was 5,186. At the 1996 census this had increased to 14,005 and by the 2006 census numbers had grown to 32,520, and this growth in arrivals from Iraq continues. The numbers reflect the changing profile of refugees and the Australian government s response to humanitarian need. Most have settled in NSW and Victoria. The major religious affiliations amongst Iraqi born migrants are Catholic, Islam and Assyrian Apostolic. Afghan community Afghanistan is a landlocked and mountainous country in south-central Asia bordered by Pakistan, Iran Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The population of Afghanistan is around 28 million and the two majority ethnic groups are Pashtuns (42 per cent) and Tajik (27 per cent). Minority groups include the Hazara, Uzbec, Aimak, Turkmen, Baloch and others. Pashto and Dari (Persian) are both the official languages of the country. Dari is spoken by about half of the population and serves as a lingua franca for the majority. The majority of Afghans are Muslim. Afghan refugees arose from the Soviet invasion of 1979 and the ensuing prolonged civil war. In late 1988, there were approximately 3.3 million refugees in Pakistan and more than two million in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At the same time, close to two million Afghan refugees were living in Iran. Many also made their way to North America, the European Union, Australia, and India. After September 11, 2001, when the United States, British and allied forces engaged in war with the Taliban, a further unknown number of Afghans fled to Pakistan. By the end of 2001, there were approximately five million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, which also included the numbers that were born inside that country over the past 20 years. Of the 7.5 million Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan, about 85 percent are believed to be ethnic Pashtuns, and the remaining comprise of minority ethnic groups. The first Afghan immigrants to Australia, around 300, came in 1859 to work as camel drivers for inland early explorers. There are now over 16,000 people with Afghan origins permanently residing in Australia. They mostly arrived after the Soviet invasion in After 1996, Afghanistan-born migrants to Victoria have settled mostly in the cities of Dandenong, Casey, Shepparton, Mildura and Swan Hill. The majority of the recent arrivals are from Hazara backgrounds that comprise up to nine per cent of the Afghanistan s population. The majority of Hazaras live in the mountainous central region of Afghanistan, with a proportion living in Kabul. They are also a part of the minority Shi a Islam and have experienced ethnic and religious discrimination and violence by the Taliban and the general Pashtun population. Page 18 of 59

21 Swan Hill Host Community Swan Hill is a rural centre servicing an agricultural and horticultural region in the north west of Victoria, approximately 340 kilometres from Melbourne. In 2006, Swan Hill had a population of nearly 10,000 with a total just over 20,000 across the surrounding municipality. Around 88 per cent of the people living in the town of Swan Hill were born in Australia. Overseas born residents account for around six per cent, and nearly four per cent of the population is Indigenous. The Swan Hill region has low unemployment; however the region experiences skills shortages in some areas. Across the region the horticultural industry employs the largest number of people with tourism and retail operations employing growing numbers of people. Manufacturing is also a growing sector. Afghan men on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) have a history of working on local farms as casual labourers - picking, pruning and cultivating on vineyards and almond orchards. The seasonal nature of the work and unemployment within the Afghan community has resulted in some members moving. Four primary schools, two secondary schools and three schools that run both primary and secondary syllabuses provide suitable access to education for the children and young people of newly arrived communities. Tertiary education is delivered by Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, which also offers a Deakin University program. The TAFE, in conjunction with AMEP, has been proactive in providing a range of short courses to assist with settlement. For instance a Learn to Drive program for women was initiated in 2009, and separate male and female classes have been offered in response to requests from the community. Settler Communities The settling communities in Swan Hill and district comprise Iraq and Afghanistan-born people who have been profiled above. Members of the Horn of African community from the Cities of Maribyrnong and Dandenong who were experiencing high unemployment were supported to relocate to the regions of Loddon, Mallee, and Murray. The Swan Hill Refugee Relocation Project relocated 55 people in Swan Hill from July 2003 to December This first group comprised fifty single males and a family of five. Thirty-seven have left Swan Hill and 18 remain including three children. Page 19 of 59

22 FINDINGS The outcomes of the consultations are reported against the following themes: Local infrastructure Capacity of the settling communities Capacity of the host community Infrastructure Participants were asked about their settlement experiences related to the suitability, availability and satisfaction in the areas of employment, housing, health and education. Overall, and in the context of the complex settlement challenges faced by people who arrive as refugees and humanitarian entrants, the new settlers were finding their new cities welcoming and safe. All settlers interviewed were keen to stay and participate fully in the economic and social life of their new communities. Most perceive the regional cities to be great environments for their children. Two crosscutting issues underpinning the areas examined were access to convenient transport and effective communication. With respect to transport the settling communities face many of the same issues as other locals who do not have access to private cars. Those in housing close to the CBD and services had fewer difficulties; however the majority of the settlers lived in the outer areas of the towns, where public transport services can be few and infrequent. Many of the people consulted were keen to learn to drive to increase their mobility. Engaging in clear and mutually understood communications was central to many of the issues raised with participants requesting greater access to bilingual and interpreting services in health services, schools, AMEP and community activities. The difficulty for regional services to provide easy access to each community language was understood; however, it was considered imperative particularly when dealing with health-related matters. Page 20 of 59

23 Employment We are not lazy people. We were working hard in Africa and we want to do the same here. We want to contribute to the country that has helped us a lot. Participant from Ballarat Most people want to get a job but it is not easy to get a job because they cannot speak English. Any job any kind of job please. Participant from Bendigo All locations Settlers in all the regional centres had diverse professional skills and work experience; however, the translation of these skills and working backgrounds into paid employment is not straightforward. This applies to many new migrants wherever they reside. The employment opportunities in the regional centres varied with some jobs requiring more or less skills levels, and nearly all requiring a proficiency in English. In Bendigo, up to 30 Karen settlers were working at the Hazeldene Chicken Farm. Local services and Hazeldene supported the new employees in their early settlement period by providing transport and accommodation assistance in the first three months of employment. Employment was highly valued by the settlers who understand it as critical in economic terms but also as contributing to their sense of belonging. Most people expressed a willingness to take on any type of job. In Ballarat and Swan Hill there was an awareness about and enthusiasm for setting up social enterprises or small businesses. A number in each location had undertaken voluntary work and a small number had gained stable employment; however, many at the time of the consultation were not employed. The women in the settling communities identified appropriate and affordable childcare as a barrier for seeking employment and vocational training. The women proposed training for women within their ethnic communities to provide home-based childcare, whereby a double benefit would accrue with employment for some and access to education for others. Page 21 of 59

24 Issues and solutions From the settlers perspective the main barriers to employment were: Language acquisition All settlers recognised the importance of English for gaining access to employment and successfully engaging in work roles and the culture of workplaces. Many were studying English. Access to employment outside of formal channels, such as job networks, was complicated by not being able to link with local community networks (word of mouth opportunities); and in formal channels the job application process including writing formal resumes were difficult to complete without assistance from interpreters. Local work experience and vocational skills Across all locations settlers noted that training in vocational skills and work experience were essential steps for finding stable employment. For those professionally trained there was concern that their skill base was eroding and that further training and or accreditation was important for them to remain competitive in the labour market. Settlers also sought greater understanding of Australian working cultures and the nature of some jobs to assist people in their job searching. Limited low skilled job opportunities and competition Most settlers stated that there were few advertised job opportunities within their local regional centre and in some areas with seasonal work there was significant competition. The centres were perceived to be relatively small in relation to job growth and the opportunities in growth sectors, such as retail, were limited due to their varying levels of English language proficiency. When asked what they thought would help them to gain employment, the participants had a number of suggestions, including: Combining language and vocational training so that their entry into the workforce may be facilitated earlier rather than developing English proficiency in isolation of an applied situation. In addition it was considered helpful to add bilingual support during the initial stages of vocational training or work experience for people with very low English levels. Local service providers offering further pathways for people to connect socially with individuals and informally with employer networks so as to increase people s awareness of unadvertised jobs and help inform prospective employers of the skill base and enthusiasm for work among the new settlers. Page 22 of 59

25 Specific issues in the different locations Ballarat A number of settlers consulted in Ballarat cited their lack of understanding of interview and job application processes. They sought greater integration of job seeking skills within AMEP and Job Services Australia (JSA), or short courses by community education providers (e.g. in Neighbourhood Houses). Another concern was the perceived lack of options of training pathways for accredited and non-accredited qualifications. People proposed greater or more accessible information provision by local registered training organisations (RTO) and support for career planning within their courses. Bendigo Settlers felt that lack of Australian citizenship could impact on their chances of gaining employment. The reading and writing requirements of the Australian citizenship test concerned many of the settlers. While they may know the test content, illiteracy in their own language and in English prohibits them from proceeding. They felt confident to undertake the test orally with a Level 1 interpreter. Another concern raised was lack of employment negatively impacting on their capacity to sponsor other family members migration. Mildura Settlers expressed concern that there was an employer perception that they are only skilled for or interested in farm related work. People in both the Afghan and Iraqi settling communities had a variety of skills and experience including working in the army, teaching, small business owners (e.g. clothes store, grocery store, confectionary shop), farm owners and carpentry. Since arriving, most have only gained short-term work in farming, the abattoir and fruit picking. They considered that vocational training in other industries such as construction and mechanics would open up more job opportunities. Swan Hill Swan Hill participants expressed some disappointment that they were not gaining greater recognition by prospective employers and community members for their local volunteer activities. For instance, one settler had undertaken voluntary work for 12 months and received no recognition. Offering recognition either by certification or other means was seen as a way to help raise awareness of the settlers skills and participation in the community. Page 23 of 59