Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Refugee policy

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (09:42): I recently attended the Fairness Yet to Come forum in Geelong, exploring the unfinished business in Australia’s refugee policies. Hosted by a combined refugee action group, Bellarine for Refugees and Queenscliff Rural Australians for Refugees, it focused on the 12,000 refugees who still live in limbo, without pathways to permanent residency in Australia due to the flawed fast-track temporary protection system. These local advocacy groups have been fighting for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers for decades. They provide invaluable support, including funding for legal assistance and advocacy, and many volunteers offer their homes for asylum seekers to stay.

After the meeting I spoke with representatives of a group of 22 Tamil and Iranian women currently walking from Melbourne to Canberra in the hope they can draw attention to the thousands still living in uncertainty. The women have contributed to Australia for over a decade yet still are denied the safety of permanency and basic rights. They should not have to leave behind their families and children and walk 25 days to receive a compassionate response from the federal government. We have made positive changes in this country, but it is time to finish what was started in February and grant all asylum seekers and refugees permanent visas.