Ms LAWRIE - 2001-10-18
Can the minister tell this House what the Martin government is doing to support the survivors of torture and trauma?
ANSWER
Thank you very much to the member for Karama for that question. Madam Speaker, Australia in the past 50 years has welcomed many migrants from a number of countries around the world. Some of these migrants came from countries where they suffered the consequences of war and, in some cases, civil war. Unfortunately, a large number of these people have suffered trauma and torture in their countries. Recently, we have seen a number of these migrants arriving in Darwin from African countries, and some of these people have suffered the consequences of trauma and torture.
The Trauma and Torture Survivors Service, a support service in the Northern Territory, provides a valuable service to these migrants, providing referrals, counselling and also a service to the community, by providing training for the community, education, and some meeting facilities.
I was very pleased, last month, to provide government funding of $15 400 to the Trauma and Torture Survivor Service for their rent, and also to send one of their representatives to a conference in Melbourne. This government - and I am pretty sure the opposition - will support the service for the valuable service they provide to the community, and especially to these people as they arrive in Australia. Because, unfortunately, people who suffer trauma and torture, they never forget it, they live all their lives with the consequences.
ANSWER
Thank you very much to the member for Karama for that question. Madam Speaker, Australia in the past 50 years has welcomed many migrants from a number of countries around the world. Some of these migrants came from countries where they suffered the consequences of war and, in some cases, civil war. Unfortunately, a large number of these people have suffered trauma and torture in their countries. Recently, we have seen a number of these migrants arriving in Darwin from African countries, and some of these people have suffered the consequences of trauma and torture.
The Trauma and Torture Survivors Service, a support service in the Northern Territory, provides a valuable service to these migrants, providing referrals, counselling and also a service to the community, by providing training for the community, education, and some meeting facilities.
I was very pleased, last month, to provide government funding of $15 400 to the Trauma and Torture Survivor Service for their rent, and also to send one of their representatives to a conference in Melbourne. This government - and I am pretty sure the opposition - will support the service for the valuable service they provide to the community, and especially to these people as they arrive in Australia. Because, unfortunately, people who suffer trauma and torture, they never forget it, they live all their lives with the consequences.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016