29 July 2004
TEMPORARY PROTECTION VISA CHANGES ARE NOT ENOUGH
Australian Churches and those working with and on behalf of refugees have received the recent Federal Government’s announcement about TPV holders with cautious optimism. Whilst they welcome any policy change that helps relieve the suffering of refugee and asylum seekers they are concerned that the changes do not go far enough, and the underlying deeply flawed policy remains in place.
It is unclear exactly who and how many families currently on temporary protection visas will ultimately benefit from the proposed changes, in the meantime the anxiety, and trauma of many families will continue.
Whilst welcoming the step towards a more humane and compassionate policy Br Chris Meehl, Director of the Edmund Rice Centre at St Albans urged the granting of permanent residency. “The families have contributed greatly to our culture and the local community. They have established strong networks and links with the community. They need to be given every encouragement and assistance in obtaining permanent residency. A permanent visa will enable them to move on with life in a positive settled manner – with greater opportunities of them to contribute to the richness of our multi-cultural Australia” he said.
There is a straightforward solution to the TPV dilemma. The Government should simply convert them into permanent visas. The TPV holders in question have already been found to be genuine refugees. They should not have to prove themselves yet again.
As the morally discredited, hardline stance of this government continues to slowly crumble in the face of sustained criticism and pressure, readers of this bulletin are encouraged to maintain that pressure by writing or emailing their political representatives urging the immediate granting of permanent residency to those currently on TPV’s and for a complete review of the Migration Act.
For the latest information about the campaign to secure justice for asylum seekers visit the A Just Australia website.
For information about the campaign to reform the immigration Act visit the Polmin website
It is unclear exactly who and how many families currently on temporary protection visas will ultimately benefit from the proposed changes, in the meantime the anxiety, and trauma of many families will continue.
Whilst welcoming the step towards a more humane and compassionate policy Br Chris Meehl, Director of the Edmund Rice Centre at St Albans urged the granting of permanent residency. “The families have contributed greatly to our culture and the local community. They have established strong networks and links with the community. They need to be given every encouragement and assistance in obtaining permanent residency. A permanent visa will enable them to move on with life in a positive settled manner – with greater opportunities of them to contribute to the richness of our multi-cultural Australia” he said.
There is a straightforward solution to the TPV dilemma. The Government should simply convert them into permanent visas. The TPV holders in question have already been found to be genuine refugees. They should not have to prove themselves yet again.
As the morally discredited, hardline stance of this government continues to slowly crumble in the face of sustained criticism and pressure, readers of this bulletin are encouraged to maintain that pressure by writing or emailing their political representatives urging the immediate granting of permanent residency to those currently on TPV’s and for a complete review of the Migration Act.
For the latest information about the campaign to secure justice for asylum seekers visit the A Just Australia website.
For information about the campaign to reform the immigration Act visit the Polmin website
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