FASSTT has called on Senators to oppose three Bills which could have serious damaging consequences for refugees and people seeking protection in Australia. The legislative proposals are the Migration Amendment Bill 2024, the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 and the Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2024. The Refugee Council of Australia has prepared a compelling analysis of serious risks to refugees that may be caused by the legislation.
The potential harms identified by the Refugee Council of Australia and others include giving the Federal Government the power to pay third countries to accept non-citizens — including recognised refugees with Australian citizen family members — without any safeguards to prevent harm, detention or their return to persecution.
FASSTT supports the request of the Refugee Council and numerous others to Senators that they vote against the Bills.
For more information, please contact Jamila Padhee, FASSTT National Coordinator on jamilapadhee@fasstt.org.au.
The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) is a network of Australia’s eight specialist rehabilitation agencies that work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia from overseas. Most clients of FASSTT agencies have come to Australia as refugees or humanitarian entrants. FASSTT agencies also work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia as asylum seekers. There is a FASSTT member agency in each state and territory of Australia.
