As Australia continues to debate the response to the refugee crisis in Syria and the Middle East, almost 70 per cent of voters say the treatment of refugees is likely to influence their vote in the next federal election.

A CARE Australia Lonergan Research poll found that considering the current refugee crisis in Syria and the Middle East:
• Almost 70 per cent of voters say the humane treatment of refugees is likely to influence their vote in the next federal election.
• Nearly 60 per cent of Australians think the country should increase its intake of refugees; and
• More than half of Australia’s population think 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,” said Stefan Knollmayer, a member of CARE Australia’s Humanitarian and Emergency Response Unit.

“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. 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.

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For more information or images or to arrange interviews with CARE aid workers in Australia or the Middle East,
contact Dylan Quinnell (0412 449 691) or Sam Bolitho (0419 567 777)

About the survey:
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, with age, gender and area quotas applied to the sample (breakdowns are available). Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and area to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.