Inaugural NSW Settlement Advisory Council named

The NSW Government has announced the inaugural members of the NSW Settlement Advisory Council, a new expert body that will provide advice to the Minister for Multiculturalism and Multicultural NSW on refugee settlement policy.

The establishment of the council, the first of its kind in NSW, is a continuation of the Government’s focus to improve the process of refugees settling in the state.

The council will broaden and build on the expertise of the ongoing leadership of the NSW Coordinator General for Settlement, Professor Peter Shergold AC (pictured), who will chair the council.

The council will bring together a diverse range of experts, including those with lived experience, to provide advice and policy support to Multicultural NSW, and champion the purpose and objectives of the NSW Settlement Strategy. 

“The better we do at settling refugees, the quicker they can become contributing members of our local communities,” said Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper.

“I am so proud with the establishment of the council, a state first, and the incredible calibre of expertise across the inaugural members.

“This significant body and initiative showcase the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to making NSW a home to all.”

The NSW Settlement Strategy is the first of its kind in the state. It brings together existing and new government initiatives to improve settlement outcomes for people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds living in NSW, said the Minister.

NSW Settlement Advisory Council Membership:

• Professor Peter Shergold AC: has a background of leadership in the public sector, academia and not-for-profit governance. A former Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Professor Shergold has been NSW Coordinator General for Settlement since 2015.
• Nick Greiner AC: Former Premier and Treasurer of New South Wales between 1988 and 1992, and board member of the Refugee Council of Australia.
• Scientia Professor Jane McAdam AO: founder of Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW, Scientia Professor McAdam is an international authority on refugee law.
• Jorge Aroche: a clinical psychologist and the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) since 1997.
• Dr Anyier Youl: a South Sudanese Australian advocate, speaker and researcher, Ms Youl was the former Chair of the Australian National Committee on Refugee Women (ANCORW). She is currently the Corporate Partnerships Manager for the UNHCR in Australia.
• Mark Morey: a background in social work and Secretary of Unions NSW since 2016, leading the organisation to establish numerous programs to support migrant communities, including the NSW Migrant Workers Hub. 

“I am hugely impressed by the calibre of every NSW Settlement Advisory Council member and grateful for their demonstrated passion for improving outcomes for people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds,” said Chair, Prof Shergold.

“I thank the NSW Government and Multicultural NSW for the on-going investment in the innovative NSW Settlement Strategy and welcome their continued support through the establishment of the inaugural NSW Settlement Advisory Council.”

Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta said the expertise of the Council members would help the state drive a better coordinated and more effective settlement system.

“Australia began to settle refugees in 1947 and since then, we have welcomed one million refugees through our Humanitarian Program,” said Mr La Posta.

“In return, we’ve benefited from their experience, skills and creativity. People from a refugee background have made enormous contribution across every part of society, from business and philanthropy to culture and the arts.

“The NSW Settlement Advisory Council brings together highly respected and influential experts across government, business, academia, community sector and refugee lived experience to champion better outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers in NSW.”