Brisbane vigil to welcome refugees

Brisbane will join the global outpouring of grief over the drowning of Syrian boy Alan Kurdi by hosting a candlelight vigil on Friday night.

Tens of thousands of people have already participated in Light the Dark candlelight vigils in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Hobart earlier this week and the Brisbane event will celebrate the government's decision to grant 12,000 refugees permanent protection in Australia.

"This is a real victory for everyone who lit a candle and stood in vigil this week - and one that will make a huge difference in the lives of 12,000 people in need," GetUp's Head of Campaigns Kelsey Cooke said.