The City of Yarra will tonight debate a motion to lobby the Federal Government to take on 20,000 Rohingya refugees.

Mayor Amanda Stone told Tom Elliott the proposal came about through advocacy from the City of Yarra community.

“The purpose of the motion is to advocate to the Federal Government to respond in what we think would be a more appropriate way to what’s actually happening in Myanmar,” Cr Stone said.

“Anybody who is decent would want some action on it.

“There is the ability to influence what is happening.”

According to the United Nations more than 300,000 Rohinyga refugees have fled Myanmar from violence in recent weeks, trying to cross the border and reach Bangladesh.

Tom said while he applauded the council for its morality, he couldn’t see how this was an issue for local government.

Click PLAY to hear the full interview