Open letter urges major parties to avoid divisive discourse during election campaign
Dear Prime Minister Albanese, Mr Dutton, Mr Littleproud and Mr Bandt, Ahead of the coming federal election we are writing… Read More
Media release
More than 35 refugee, human rights, community, and faith-based organisations have today released an open letter to the major political parties urging them to avoid divisive discourse and to approach issues around people seeking asylum and refugees during the course of the federal election campaign with dignity and respect.
The letter, sent to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Greens Leader Adam Bandt, and Nationals Leader David Littleproud, demands that debate remains facts-based, compassionate, and informed by lived experience.
Groups signed on to the letter include Amnesty International Australia, Multicultural Australia, Refugee Council of Australia, Asylum Seekers Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society, and Settlement Services International (SSI).
Refugees and people seeking asylum, many of whom continue to process the trauma that comes with fleeing conflict and persecution, can be significantly impacted by the hostile and alienating rhetoric often deployed in political debate.
The letter also calls for:
- All messaging to recognise the fundamental truth that it is a human right to seek asylum under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention.
- Recognition of the Australian Press Council’s previous statements that terms such as “illegal immigrants” or “illegals” may constitute a breach of their Standards of Practice.
- Political leaders to show the moral leadership required to lead the country, in doing so treating refugees and people seeking asylum with compassion, dignity, and respect.
It comes as recent polling by Redbridge found that a majority of Australians expect the federal government to take a fair and humane approach to refugees and people seeking asylum.
Frances Rush OAM, Asylum Seekers Centre CEO, said:
“Too often, people seeking asylum and refugees have been the target of unacceptable, demonising rhetoric. These language choices have real consequences, real impacts, and real danger for people seeking asylum and refugees.
“The point of this letter is to lay down a clear marker. We won’t stand for fear-mongering and divisive language.
“We must hold our leaders to account and demand they use their words to create unity, not division. This election, we call on political leaders across the board to approach conversations around people seeking asylum and refugees with dignity and respect, and in a way that protects Australia’s proud multicultural society.”
Paul Power, CEO of Refugee Council of Australia, said:
“It is incumbent upon all elected officials and candidates during election time to treat all Australians with dignity and respect. We are a proud multicultural nation with a strong legacy of welcoming refugees and migrants. We ask our leaders to show leadership and compassion – reflecting our core values as a nation – when talking about those who have fled war and persecution in search of a safe place.”
