Labor must not capitulate to Pauline Hanson’s politics of hate
Media Release, Wednesday 5 August 2026
Human rights, refugee and migrant organisations are warning the Albanese Government not to capitulate to Pauline Hanson’s politics of hate by stripping rights from people seeking asylum in an attempt to appear tougher on migration.
The ABC reported last night that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had postponed a National Press Club address where he was expected to announce sweeping migration changes, reportedly including further restrictions on the work rights of people seeking asylum and their ability to appeal protection decisions.
The organisations said the reported proposals represent an alarming attempt by the Labor Government to accommodate One Nation’s anti-migrant agenda, rather than show strong leadership by challenging the fear, division and misinformation on which it depends.
Removing work rights for people seeking asylum would deliberately force people into poverty and dependence on charities. It would prevent people from supporting themselves and their families, contributing to their communities and rebuilding their lives in safety.
The Albanese Government must instead ensure that people can support themselves and their families while they wait for their claims to be processed. Where people are unable to work, they must have access to an adequate safety net so they are not forced into poverty, homelessness or reliance on overstretched charities.
The government must also guarantee access to fair and independent merits review and to the courts. Protection decisions can have life-or-death consequences, including the return of a person to persecution, violence or death. The answer to delays in the system is to improve the quality and timeliness of decision-making, not weaken the safeguards that allow errors to be identified and corrected.
Labor’s failure to confront One Nation’s fearmongering is a disgraceful failure of leadership. The Albanese Government must reject the deliberate scapegoating of migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum, and directly challenge the billionaire-funded misinformation campaign fuelling anti-migrant fear and division.
At a time when some politicians are seeking to divide Australians for political gain, our government has a responsibility to bring people together. Australia needs leadership that promotes unity and compassion, defends the dignity of every person and upholds the Australian value of fairness.
Jana Favero, Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre said:
“The postponement of Minister Burke’s speech gives the Albanese Government an opportunity to step back from this dangerous path and rule out any further restrictions on the rights of people seeking asylum.”
It is deeply concerning to see our Government pandering to One Nation’s politics of hate and legitimising division, when our community is expecting true leadership and unity. We need leaders to stand up for what they believe in, keep Australians together and make sure everyone has a fair go.”
“Scapegoating migrants won’t build a home, lower a grocery bill or help a family pay the rent. Australia deserves better than politicians looking for someone to blame instead of delivering real solutions.”
“If these reports are true, this capitulation to the politics of hate is an outrageous betrayal, especially coming from the party who ended the white Australia policy.”
Sarah Dale, Centre Director and Principal Solicitor, Refugee Advice and Casework Service said:
“These reports becoming reality would have catastrophic effects on the community RACS support. Deliberately denying people agency in their own lives, stripping the right to work and leaving them with no option but to rely on charity is deliberate indignity.”
“Our migration program must be robust, but it also must be fair and compassionate. Focusing on people seeking asylum and those separated from their families, having their rights curtailed, is bad policy and senselessly cruel.”
Sanmati Verma, Legal Director (Principal Lawyer), Human Rights Law Centre said:
“Everyone deserves safety, security and dignity at work. Stripping work rights away from people seeking asylum will force them into the black economy of unsafe, precarious and exploitative work. The conditions of all workers suffer when bosses are allowed to treat workers differently.
When governments attack migrants, they are sending a message to everyone in the country – that they have no serious plan to make life better for any of us, and they are looking for distractions. We deserve better from our leaders.”
Dr Graham Thom, Advocacy Coordinator, Refugee Council of Australia, said:
“Removing people’s rights is a formula to create problems rather than provide solutions. When looking to address issues, the Government should be guided by Labor policy, not One Nation policy. The Government’s claims of its commitment to eradicating modern slavery and addressing worker exploitation appear disingenuous, as these changes could directly contribute to expanding exploitation and suffering. The flow on effects and even further unintended consequences of these proposed changes will be a blight on this Government and on Australia.”
ENDS
For media enquiries or interviews, contact:
Natasha Blucher on 0412 034 821 or media@asrc.org.au
