A split city: communities across Sydney commit to rebuild trust

Millions of people across the diversity of Sydney are joining with families in living in the west and south-west of our city to say enough with the language of division, enough with the blame and enough with scape-goating the hardworking people of Western and southwestern Sydney.

“The challenge confronting our community is threefold,” said Randa Kattan, CEO of Arab Council Australia. “To reduce transmission of the virus; to do so in a way that builds trust and social cohesion across the city; and to ensure the measures we take today don’t create a future disaster for families across Sydney. We cannot let this virus result in a more divided community,” concluded Randa Kattan.

Organisations representing over two million people from the Catholic Church to United Workers Union and Arab Council Australia, said it is time to rule a line in the sand and rebuild trust and inclusion across Sydney as we confront growing numbers of infection and deaths.

We are demanding consistent messages, consistent policing and protection, and greater financial support for all those shouldering the greatest burden through this lockdown. Find out more about our demands of the NSW and Morrison governments, and the organisations who support our calls here: https://www.sydneyalliance.org.au/proposal-for-nsw-government-response-to-covid-19-outbreak.

"The suffering our community is experiencing is just heart breaking,” said Sr Marion Gambin. “Dealing with this virus is hard enough without adding to the burden with racism, exclusion and blame. Lockdown rules need to be equitably enforced, and enforcement efforts need to be developed in consultation with impacted communities. This lockdown calls on all of us to remain a community that cares deeply for each other and our families.”

“People across the city and the state want to do the right thing, but they need to be supported to do so,” said Kurt Iveson, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney.

“People from low-income households who are playing their part by staying at home, getting tested and getting vaccinated should not be forced into poverty for doing the right thing. Families living in Western and southwestern Sydney still need to pay for rent, groceries and bills, but the current support payments are confusing and inadequate.” concluded Kurt Iveson.

“Public health is built on trust. Trust is destroyed when rules are enforced inconsistently across the city. Images of securitised streets in Western Sydney and sunbakers on Sydney beaches corrode trust. None of us can afford this kind of division,” added Sr Marion Gambin.

“We will get through this,” said Randa Kattan, “But we need to put our communities - in all their diversity – at the centre of planning a post-pandemic life for our wonderful city, state and country.”

Spokespeople:

Randa Kattan, Arab Council Australia

Sr Marion Gambin, Sisters of St Joseph

Associate Professor Kurt Iveson, University of Sydney

For further information and to connect with the spokespeople listed above, contact:

Sawsan Alfayadh, Senior Campaigner

0447973149

salfayadh@sydneyalliance.org.au

Note: image taken prior to the current outbreak of Covid-19 in our communities.