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18 August 2005

REFORMING THE MIGRATION ACT 

In a submission to the current Senate enquiry into Australia's Migration Act Polmin argued for a major reform of the Act to ensure:-

An equal treatment of all asylum seekers without discrimination based on method of arrival, as exists at present. (Those who arrive in Australia by air and then claim asylum for example are not subjected to mandatory detention)

The restoration of the right to seek asylum in Australia. This would mean an end to the Pacific Solution, the closure of offshore camps and restoration of excised islands into the Migration Zone.

The detention of asylum seekers only for a limited time to enable health, identity and security checks.

The restoration of full powers to the courts to enable the examination of any decision to detain people.

The granting of complementary protection to asylum seekers whose claims for protection are valid, but fall outside the strict definition of the refugee convention.

The granting of work rights and an entitlement to the full range of social security benefits as well as support from a case worker for asylum seekers who are living in the community on bridging visas.

The abolition of the temporary protection visa system. Once a person has been judged to be a genuine refugee they would receive permanent protection with the full range of rights and entitlements.

The full text of the submission can be viewed at the Polmin website

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