The Beagle Editor,
With Parliament about to meet next week, Refugee Action Collective Eurobodalla today called on the Federal Labor Government to urgently address the transfer to permanent visas for over 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers kept in limbo on various temporary visas, some for over ten years under the previous government.
RAC Eurobodalla is asking the government to urgently publish the timeline and process for the transfer to permanent protection for 19,614 people on Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas promised permanency in 2023.
The government has said nothing about when in 2023 it will grant these people permanent protection, nor has it offered any information about the process for the transfer, which leaves a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety for the refugees involved.
RAC Eurobodalla is also asking for a fair and compassionate approach which expedites the transfer to permanent protection for another 12,000 people seeking Australia’s protection currently on various other types of temporary visas.
After more than a decade, some of them have not yet had their cases assessed, others are still waiting on the outcome of their applications. Many have had their applications refused because decision-makers have relied on flawed information from the country they fled from. The tribunal reviewing decisions was stacked with supporters of the previous government and many applicants were treated less than fairly, despite the merits of their cases.
While waiting for a decision, they should not be harassed to make arrangements for their departure to third countries.
They are Australia’s responsibility and the government should show them compassion.
Finally and most importantly, RAC Eurobodalla is asking the government to transfer all refugees and asylum seekers who remain on Nauru and PNG to Australia to live in the community while their applications for resettlement are finalised.
Refugee Action Collective Eurobodalla
