What a second Albanese Government means for refugees
With a second Albanese Government, it’s time to push for justice and dignity for and with refugees. The result of the May 2025 federal election is a clear message from the Australian people: they will not be swayed by fear and division and they support what this Government has been working towards.
The first Albanese Government made crucial progress in refugee rights, shifting to permanent visas and reforming the asylum claims review process.
Resolution of status visas gave roughly 20,000 people lasting safety after a decade in limbo. It proved that permanent protection for refugees is possible and positive in Australia.
Abolishing the Immigration Assessment Authority and reforming the now Administrative Review Tribunal has meant steps towards a fairer and more efficient consideration of asylum claims.
The feared public backlash to offering permanent protection to refugees and introducing more just processing did not materialise in these election results. Further, several of those who most staunchly opposed refugee rights are now no longer in our Parliament. Let too the ugly rhetoric surrounding migrant and refugee communities now also be a thing of the past.
The Australian people have spoken.
The Government must take this as a mandate to keep moving in the right direction. That direction is one buoyed by compassion and dignity.
In its second term, the Albanese Government must finish the job. It must deliver on its promises of platforms past – for example, the commitments it set out in 2021 and 2023. It is time to be ambitious and brave. It’s time to do the right thing and:
Offer certainty and safety to the 8,000 people failed by the unfair and inefficient Fast Track process. Likewise, Australia should extend the same compassion to individuals affected by offshore processing who lack resettlement options; and,
Implement further improvements to make the protection process more supportive of the most vulnerable applicants, such as introducing an independent child guardian and making it easier for refugee families to reunite in safety.
Completely abolish all forms of temporary protection for refugees in Australia.
These and more are spelled out in RACS’s Roadmap for Refugee Policy Reform.
Our team will be using the Roadmap in our engagements with MPs, senators and their offices. We’ve spelled out what the Government needs to do in practical terms. These are the steps that will make a world of difference to people seeking asylum. We know the work that needs to be done – and we’ll be here to ensure that it gets done.
It’s heartening to see some of the Independents who were among the most vocal advocates for refugee rights in the previous Parliament retain their seats. These Independent representatives and senators now have a strong mandate to push the Albanese Government to make better policies for refugees and people seeking asylum. RACS will stand with them to do so.
Recently re-elected Independents who support a more compassionate approach to refugees, include:
Allegra Spender MP, returning Member for Wentworth who is a member of the parliamentary committee on migration and agrees that,
“We can maintain the strong borders and laws that keep us safe, whilst treating those fleeing violence and persecution with more humanity and less fear.”
Dr Monique Ryan MP, returning Member for Kooyong who’s affirmed that,
“Having clearly-defined, realistic, sustainable, and transparent immigration policies doesn’t have to erode our humanity. I’ve consistently voted against the Albanese Government’s punitive laws criminalising asylum seekers and punishing those seeking refuge in this country— laws which contravene our human rights obligations and the Australian spirit of compassion.”
Senator David Pocock, returning senator for the ACT who’s promised that:
“I will keep pushing for a fair and compassionate refugee determination system, including a pathway to permanency for those affected by the flawed and unfair fast-track process. I am continuing to advocate for a refugee status determination system that is fast, compassionate, and fully compliant with Australia’s international obligations. I am calling for an end to offshore processing and a refugee resettlement approach that upholds human rights and prevents deaths at sea.”
Will you call your local MP and urge them to read and respond to the Roadmap? You can find the digital version here. And let us know how you go!
Anthony Albanese stated on Saturday evening that “kindness is not a weakness” and that under his leadership, “We will move forward with no one held back and no one left behind.”
We look forward to seeing the delivery of this promise to refugees and people seeking asylum, who are part of our Australian community also.
RACS will be there to hold the Albanese Government to this promise.
The mandate is clear, the roadmap is there, commitments must be fulfilled.
One way that you can stand with refugees at this time is by supporting the critical legal help and advocacy that RACS provides, with a tax-deductible donation today.
