As Australia approaches issuing its one millionth permanent visa through its refugee and humanitarian program, advocates are calling for celebration over the contribution refugees have made to Australia’s national story. Source: SBS News.
The one millionth permanent humanitarian visa issued since the end of World War II could come as early as the end of this year.
Refugee rights organisations say it’s a pertinent time to consider how Australia can improve its response to mass global displacement.
Rebecca Eckart, director of policy and research at the Refugee Council of Australia, said the millionth permanent humanitarian visa is expected to be issued imminently.
“That means we’ll have had the benefit of over the past 80 years, people who have come through our refugee and humanitarian program arriving in Australia,” she said.
Ms Eckart said the visa milestone is a reminder of the diverse individual stories that make up Australian history.
“Today, there’s millions of people who are connected to our humanitarian program, either directly or through their parents, grandparents, or great grandparents. It’s a really momentous time,” she said.
Daniel Ghezelbash, director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, said the milestone offers a chance to reflect on how Australia can improve its response to global displacement.
Professor Ghezelbash said Australia’s approach to asylum seekers is a continuing source of concern.
Australia’s humanitarian program intake is made up of two key groups.
Between 1947 and 2023 most permanent visas – more than 850,000 – were issued to those who applied for protection from outside Australia.
Just over 81,000 were issued to those seeking protection after arriving in Australia.
“I think our relatively generous resettlement program stands in great contrast to the way we treat asylum seekers. And so I think that’s really the room where the biggest concerns and the biggest criticism of our policies come from,” he said.
As Australia prepares to welcome its one millionth refugee on a permanent visa, Professor Ghezelbash said there is cause for celebration alongside urgent calls for reform.
“I think we need to reflect on the ways we can better balance the legitimate concerns about border security with providing people access to protection at a broader level,” he said.
FULL STORY
One million permanent humanitarian visas: Calls for change as milestone nears (SBS News)
