A victory in campaign for justice for refugees

13 July 2004

The decision by Cabinet yesterday announcing major changes to the treatment of refugees on temporary protection visas is a substantial victory for all those who have campaigned for a return to permanent protection, National Director of A Just Australia, Howard Glenn, said today.

"Our great fear was that the government would carry out its threat last year to re-detain and deport people who had already proven their refugee status, at the end of their three year period," Mr Glenn said.

"We welcome the announcement by Minister Vanstone today that there will be better treatment of those who have sought protection in Australia.

"While the Government is still going to force proven refugees to prove again that they need protection - at great cost to the taxpayer and great stress to the refugee - we welcome the change that will mean that all will be eligible for permanent protection.

"We also welcome the decision that those who will not gain further refugee protection will be allowed to apply for visas on other grounds, without leaving the country. For those who are rejected, an eighteen month period to make alternate plans is also very welcome.

"A Just Australia, and our many colleague organisations and thousands of individuals, have worked hard to change the temporary protection regime.

"It is clear that there has been a sea change in public opinion, with the mistreatment of refugees not a vote-winner in an election year.

"The Government's change of policy comes ahead of an election, where there are active groups campaigning on these issues in priority electorates.

"There are still more urgent changes to be made, with 81 children in immigration detention this week, just on 90 people still on Nauru without any clear future, and around 200 asylum seekers who have been in detention for over two years.

"The new 18 month "return-pending" visa could well help solve the problems of those on Nauru - most of those remaining are people who've been rejected as refugees but can't return yet to Iraq.

"Finally we must make sure that there is an overhaul of the refugee programs, so that if boats were to come again, people would be treated differently.

"Australians all over the country have welcomed these refugees, and will continue to try and make up for our government's cruel policies that denied them their rights and security for so long," Mr Glenn said.

For further information:
Howard Glenn - 02 9310 3900

13 July 2004