To mark World Refugee Day, the New South Wales Government has announced the creation of the state’s first NSW Settlement Advisory Council, aimed at improving the experiences of people from refugee and similar backgrounds who have resettled in NSW.
The new Council will be chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, who is currently the NSW Coordinator General for Settlement.
According to Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, the Council will help ensure government policies remain responsive to the needs of newly arrived communities.
“The NSW Settlement Advisory Council is the first of its kind and demonstrates the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to improving the lives of diverse people and communities across our state,” Mr Kamper said. “The Council will ensure this state is fulfilling its responsibility to support people who are seeking safety and a fresh start here in our great NSW.”
The Council will provide expert advice and policy guidance to Multicultural NSW while actively supporting the implementation of the NSW Settlement Strategy. Its work will focus on addressing complex settlement-related issues, assessing the effectiveness of programs, and helping coordinate services across different levels of government.
Professor Shergold explained that collaboration would be central to the Council’s approach.
“The main purpose of the Council is to create better collaboration with the Australian Government and other states and territories we work alongside to achieve improved outcomes,” Professor Shergold said. “By combining all our efforts, we can create more opportunities for refugees to settle successfully and become fully engaged participants in our society. Everyone benefits—refugees can showcase their skills, and NSW benefits from their talents and expertise.”
Joseph La Posta, CEO of Multicultural NSW, described the announcement as an important milestone in strengthening support for people from refugee backgrounds.
“People from refugee backgrounds contribute greatly to our rich multicultural community,” Mr La Posta said. “This is a significant step towards improving NSW’s support for these communities so they can truly thrive.
“With the establishment of this Council, we will ensure the government’s approach to settlement continues to improve, guided by real knowledge and lived experience.”
The NSW Settlement Strategy brings together new and existing government initiatives designed to help refugees and humanitarian entrants build a better life in NSW. The strategy is based on the firsthand experience and priorities of refugee communities across the state.
Council members will be formally appointed by the CEO of Multicultural NSW in the coming weeks, with further details to be announced soon.
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