Speak up for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia

Our Federal Government left people seeking asylum out of the pandemic safety net and the effects of that are still being felt by people in our community.

Not satisfied with that, the Federal Government is finding other ways to erode the human rights of people who are seeking protection. New rushed deadlines for people who have been waiting eight years for their application to be assessed, new laws to detain, more budget for detention.

But don’t just take our word for it.

Read the Refugee Council of Australia’s analysis of the 2021 Federal Budget.

See this powerful statement from human rights and refugee lawyers about the recent bill that opens the door for refugees to be detained indefinitely – without a plan for their release.

Please keep talking about these issues and sharing information to keep the rights of refugees on the national agenda.

Write to Minister Karen Andrews (Home Affairs) and Minister Alex Hawke (Immigration) today and tell them you care about the human rights of people seeking asylum and refugees.

Hon. Karen Andrews
Karen.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Hon. Alex Hawke
Alex.Hawke.MP@aph.gov.au
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

It’s always best to write in your own words, but here is a template to get you started. 

Dear Minister

I am writing to you because I care deeply about the human rights of people seeking asylum and refugees. <include any personal information about why you care about this issue>

The human rights of people seeking asylum are being eroded by the government’s recent actions in legislation and in the recent budget. 

It is important to me and many others in my community that as a country we protect and treat fairly people who have sought protection and safety in Australia.

Charities like the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney are trying their best to support people, but they are also struggling to meet the need for basic housing, health and nutrition support.

I call on the Government to consider:

• An extension to the deadline for applications to the ‘fast track’ process for people seeking asylum to allow them to prepare their cases with legal support.
• Allowing a parliamentary inquiry into migration laws that would reduce administrative inefficiencies while meeting our human rights obligations.
• Providing sufficient support for vulnerable people seeking asylum living in our community including thousands of children.

Thank you for your time and compassion. Together we can make sure the government knows that Australian people care.