A Just Australia is a national campaign organisation.  We aim to achieve just and compassionate treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, consistent with the human rights standards that Australia has developed and endorsed.

We believe that Australia's policies toward refugees and asylum seekers should at all times reflect respect, decency and traditional Australian generosity to those in need, while advancing Australia’s international standing and national interests. 

Latest news

Work rights reform welcomed - 1 July 2009

As of 1 July 2009, new regulations to the Migration Regulations 1994 mean that asylum seekers will no longer face the arbitrary discrimination of the '45-day rule', which denied work rights to those who applied for protection after 45 days or arriving in Australia.  Instead, asylum seekers will have access to work rights if they either:
   - Hold a substantive visa at the time of applying for a protection visa; or
   - Did not hold a substantive visa at the time of applying for protection but can demonstrate a compelling need to work.  If they have applied after 45 days of arrival, they must also demonstrate an acceptable reason for delay in applying for a protection visa.

We warmly welcome this reform as it gives legitimate asylum seekers the opportunity to support themselves whilst waiting for their protection application to be assessed, instead of depending totally on church and community welfare.  The former 45-day rule placed undue hardship on asylum seekers and breached international human rights law which recognises the right of every person to adequate food, clothing and housing.

Legislating Detention Values: another step forward - 25 June 2009

On 25 June, the government proposed a Bill to enshrine their ‘New Directions in Detention’ policies (announced in July 2008) into legislation.  We commend this initiative and the government’s continued efforts to reform asylum policy.  We urge the Legal and Constitutional Committee, who will consider the Bill, to support the proposed legislation that will embed the principles of detention as a last resort, for the shortest practicable time, not arbitrary nor indefinite and subject to regular review.

However, we remain unconvinced that measures relating to the review of the length and conditions of detention are adequate.  The first independent review of a person’s detention (by the Ombudsman) will not occur until six months - far too long to detain someone by the decision of just one DIAC official.  We also note that the government intends to retain the option of detaining children in ‘low to medium security facilities within immigration detention framework, such as immigration residential housing and immigration transit accommodation’.  AJA considers these facilities to be another form of immigration detention, by nature if not by name.

See Minister Chris Evans’ Second Reading Speech on the Migration Amendment (Immigration Detention Reform) Bill 2009 and the related Media Release.

Abolishing Detention Debts - only one more hurdle to go! - 25 June 2009

On 25 June, Labor's proposed Bill to abolish immigration detention debts for asylum seekers was passed in the lower house of Parliament.  As described in the Sydney Morning Herald (25/06/09):

The opposition leadership let Labor's draft laws pass the lower house on Thursday afternoon without calling for a formal vote.
Liberal backbenchers Petro Georgiou, Judi Moylan, Danna Vale and Russell Broadbent supported the government's legislation abolishing the practice of billing asylum seekers for their mandatory detention.  But they were not forced to cross the floor to make their point.
The government says the changes will not cost the taxpayers a cent because debts are rarely collected in practice.  And as a deterrent, it is retaining detention debts for people smugglers and illegal fishermen.

The Bill is expected to be passed in the Senate with the support of independant Senators Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding when parliament resumes on August 11 after the six-week winter break.

Complementary Protection reform needed - June 2009

The government is currently drafting legislation to reform Australia's rRefugee Determination process to properly engage our Complementary Protection obligations.  Complementary Protection refers to protection for people to whom Australia has non-refoulement (non-return) obligations under international human rights treaties other than the 1951 Refugee Convention.  We expect the government to introduce the reform Bill to Parliament around November 2009.  Recent comments by the Opposition suggest that they may choose to oppose the Bill despite a body of facts and evidence which indicate that reform is needed.  The gaps in Australia's approach to Complementary Protection are explained in a study that was produced last year by A Just Australia, Oxfam Australia and Oxfam Novib, called 'Playing God with Sanctuary'.

What you can do: Write to Senator Fielding, Senator Xenophon and the Liberal Senators, asking them to support the upcoming Bill on Complementary Protection.  Contact details of Senators can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Senators/index.htm.

Recent boat arrivals reflect global numbers - May 2009

Recent boat arrivals have again ignited debate on asylum seeker policy, with the media again using the term "illegals" and the Coalition claiming that changes to policy have caused the arrivals.

Statistics from UNHCR show that Australia’s recent small increase in asylum arrivals are the same increases that all other countries are experiencing. It has nothing to do with domestic policy. It must also be remembered that there was a huge surge in boat arrivals after deterrent policies were introduced, such as temporary protection visas.

Global numbers of asylum seekers have been rising for some time. According to UNHCR, the recent increases in Australia are reflected in the global trends. During 2001-2006, all countries experienced a large drop in asylum applications, then in 2007-2008 there was a universal increase of around 11%. Source UNHCR

The fact is that so-called harsh policies do not stop desperate people who are fleeing war and persecution. The only thing that works is creating safe options for refugees closer to home so they are not forced to travel the world seeking a secure, permanent haven. See our media release.

Myths and facts about asylum seekers - 2009 update
The recent arrivals of asylum seekers have meant that asylum seekers have re-entered the media spotlight.  Here are some common myths and facts about asylum seekers.  If anyone says that asylum seekers are 'queue-jumpers', 'terrorists' or 'illegals', or that fair and humane asylum seeker policies will 'open the flood gates', you'll be able to tell them the real facts.