Services supporting culturally and linguistically diverse community members in Albury-Wodonga have been working to ensure border entry permits can be accessed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council senior community advocacy officer Harley Dannatt said his team had informed those they support of the closure.
"We've been working in partnership with a whole range of services since COVID came about ... there's been gaps in information coming down," he said.
"When this happened [the border closure], we knew straight away that this was something we'd need to get out to communities.
"We've been in the process of condensing that information, and having that translated and disseminated to our communities.
"I'm confident we'll be able to eventually get the information through and the processes will be set up."
AWECC chairperson Rupinder Kaur led a board meeting last night discussing the closure.
"I've been having so many phone calls from people who are worried - we have offered that they come into the office," she said.
"I think people knew it was coming, but not what they needed to be doing.
"We decided we should put out audio and video clips, and that would be helpful.
"I think people are coming together to help one another."
Indi MP Helen Haines raised that the permit system did not account for CALD community members, older people and those without internet access.
"This oversight encouraged me today to invite people to come to my Wodonga office where my staff will apply for them and print the approved permit," she said.
"I've also asked the Premier to ensure that the permit and important information will be translated into languages other than English, in recognition of Wodonga's large refugee communities and others who do not speak English as a first language."
Mr Dannatt said a concern for some members in the community was the increased police presence.
"For some of our more vulnerable community members who have come out of conflict zones, those images coming home to Albury-Wodonga can be quite confronting," he said.
"When there is a gap in the information, people worry.
"At the same time, we have to also say communities are really resilient and resourceful in doing their bit to keep everyone safe."
AWECC has been working since the outbreak of COVID-19 to ensure CALD communities are not left behind during the pandemic, hosting a weekly Zoom meeting with up to 20 border services.
"We've targeted our translations to our most vulnerable communities," Mr Dannatt said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Earlier on, we were struggling with fake news ... we really tried to assist people to get credible information.
"Like everyone, people are disappointed they can't visit family in Melbourne.
"The other thing that goes across the board is encouraging people to get tested if they are sick, and that critical information has gotten through.
"We've had a really good reception to the health information, and the feedback has been the multicultural community has been following all of the restrictions."
