TAKE ACTION: Stop Labor’s draconian deportation bill

The Albanese government is trying to introduce laws that would force people seeking asylum to choose between prison or persecution.

Labor’s proposed Migration Amendment (aka the deportation and entry ban bill) could compel people to go back to countries where they face serious harm, risk deporting people who Labor admits have not had a fair review, and ban entire countries of people from entering Australia.

The government tried to rush the bill through parliament back in March, which had a devastating impact on people seeking asylum in our community. The ASC received multiple reports of distress from people we support upon hearing news of the bill. One person reported having panic attacks and heart palpitations when considering the impact of the bill on their family.

After the Senate intervened to send the bill to an inquiry, the ASC was one of hundreds to submit to the inquiry and demand this harmful legislation be rejected in its entirety.

So it was disheartening to see the inquiry’s final report recommended the bill pass, ignoring the calls from those with lived experience, legal experts, human rights advocates, support agencies, and more.

But it’s not over yet. The bill will go to a vote in the Senate in the coming weeks and we still have time to stop it.

The ASC is calling on you to:

• Search for your Senators
• Use the ASC’s submission to the inquiry and the Refugee Council of Australia’s explainer
• Email your Senator today and ask them to vote against Labor’s deportation bill when it comes before the Senate