The A Just Australia campaign is managed by the Refugee Council of Australia. The core mission of the campaign is to campaign for positive changes to government policy on refugee and asylum seekers. By working together with prominent Australians and community groups and thousands of concerned individuals, A Just Australia aims to achieve just and compassionate treatment of refugees, consistent with the human rights standards which Australia has developed and endorsed.
Statement of 21 August 2013
Australia –
we’re better than this
Last week, 78 Australian organisations combined to declare that the
destructive debate about asylum seekers and the pursuit of policies to punish
the most vulnerable must stop.
The statement, coordinated by the Refugee Council of Australia to mark
the first anniversary of the reintroduction of offshore processing of asylum
claims, called for a new approach which focuses on protection not punishment,
facts not fear-mongering and long-term solutions not short-term political gain.
While the Government’s decision to increase the humanitarian intake to
20,000 places is welcome, policies like offshore processing, denial of work
rights for asylum seekers and changes to family reunion are cruel and offer no
hope for people fleeing persecution in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Federal Opposition’s policies to reintroduce Temporary Protection
Visas, offshore processing, towing back boats, limiting appeal rights and
cutting the humanitarian intake offer even less hope to asylum seekers.
The serious refugee protection challenges facing the region demand true
political leadership.
That starts with Australia setting the standard in refugee protection by
modelling the best-practice models that need to be replicated in the
Asia-Pacific region.
This includes upholding Australia’s position as a world-leader in
resettlement, abandoning offshore processing, ensuring asylum seekers’ prompt
access to permanent protection, fair refugee status determination and an end to
policies that pit onshore protection against resettlement.
Until Australia makes a serious commitment to encouraging greater
regional refugee protection in the Asia-Pacific region, desperate people will
continue to have no safe pathway to protection.
Many will still see a dangerous boat journey to Australia as their only
option.
How you can help
·
Let candidates in your electorate know that the race to the bottom on
asylum seekers must stop
·
Let them know you will support policies that are consistent with
Australia’s reputation of fairness, decency and respect for the human rights
conventions we have signed up to
·
Send them the “Enough is Enough” statement signed by 78 faith and NGOs (http://refugeecouncil.org.au/n/mr/130813-NewApproach.pdf)
·
Write letters to the editor outlining your concerns about the direction
of asylum policy
·
Take the time to think carefully about how you will vote, looking at the
candidates (and their policies) for your House of Representatives seat and the
Senate in your state or territory.
Essential reading
Statement by 78 faith and NGOs on a new approach to asylum policy
RCOA summary of election policies
The Hot Potato campaign to debunk myths about asylum seekers
Arguments to counter claims deterrence policies are about saving lives
Recent statement from Refugee Council
of Australia
RCOA statement on Australia-PNG agreement
RCOA statement on Coalition’s asylum policy
RCOA statement on Operation Sovereign Borders
Where Australia ranks in refugee protection
How to contact candidates and learn
more about the parties
The Australian Electoral Commission’s list of candidates
The ABC election guide also lists candidates and electorate profiles
It’s worth looking at how your preferred party plans to allocate
preferences of electors who vote above the line in the Senate
(If you don’t agree, you can always vote below the line, numbering every
square)
Websites for parties currently in the
Parliament
Dozens of parties are contesting the election.
Here is a list of the
websites of the parties currently represented
in the House of Representatives
or Senate:
Australian Labor Party
Liberal-National Coalition
Australian Greens
Katter’s Australian Party
Democratic Labour Party
Nick Xenophon group (South Australia)
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