Refugee Treatment Will Affect Voter Intentions - NFP Survey
10 September 2015 at 10:38 am
As Australia continues to debate the response to the refugee crisis in Syria and the Middle East, a Not for Profit survey has found that the treatment of refugees is likely to influence voting intentions at the next Federal Election.
The CARE Australia Lonergan Research poll found that almost 70 per cent of voters will consider the humane treatment of refugees when making a decision at the polls.
The phone survey of more than 1000 Adults also found that nearly 60 per cent of Australians think the country should increase its intake of refugees and more than half of the population thinks Australia should do more to support refugees.
“This is a tragedy on a scale that is unparalleled in recent history. There are over four million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries as well as millions more displaced within Syria,” CARE Australia’s Humanitarian and Emergency Response Unit member, Stefan Knollmayer said.
“This is not a European issue. This is a global issue and it demands a global response. CARE has now reached over a million Syrians with provision of life-saving services to refugees and host communities in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey and Yemen, and to people affected by the crisis in Syria.”
The study was conducted on 8 September 2015 by Lonergan Research among 1,019 Australians aged 18 years and over. This survey was conducted by Voice Automated Telephone Interviewing throughout Australia, including both capital city and non-capital city areas.
CARE Australia CEO Dr Julia Newton-Howes said she was not surprised by the results.
“I think most Australians are extremely generous and supportive of assisting refugees where we can, which was evidenced by the great turn outs at the Light the Dark vigils this week,” Newton-Howes said.
“I think the images of refugees in desperate circumstances struggling to find safety for their families, images of people including children drowning trying to find safety, have brought home just how desperate the situation is for so many refugees at the moment.
“The conflict in Syria, and the refugee crisis it has caused, has been going on for four and a half years now and shows little sign of letting up. At the same time budget shortfalls have meant that organisations like the United Nations have struggled to meet the needs of the 4 million Syrian refugees in the region.
“At CARE Australia we have thankfully seen this increase in public interest in the Syrian refugee crisis translate into an increase in vital donations. Since the beginning of September the Australian public have generously donated over $100,000 to our appeal, compared to only $10,000 in the rest of 2015.”
CARE is currently also providing food, water and other support to refugees arriving in Serbia.
To donate to CARE’s Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal, visit www.care.org.au/syria, call 1800 DONATE (1800 020 046). A donation of $84 can provide hygiene kits for four women and $140 can feed a whole family for one month.
