The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is deeply concerned for the safety of people detained at the Mantra Bell City hotel at Preston in Melbourne, after a security guard has tested positive for COVID-19. Over 60...
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Response to Hong Kong crisis must focus on those at greatest risk: Refugee Council
The Australian Government must focus on providing protection to those at greatest risk from China’s imposition of national security laws on Hong Kong, to avoid being seen to exploit the crisis for business advantage...
Media release: 38 mayors and council leaders back calls to extend support to people seeking asylum
A coalition of mayors and council leaders from around the country have signed onto an open letter today, calling on the Federal Government to extend crucial supports to people seeking asylum affected by COVID-19. The...
Stronger independent oversight needed as time in immigration detention reaches record high, Refugee Council says
Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has called for much stronger independent oversight of decisions to keep people in immigration detention, as the average length of time in detention blows out to a record high of 18...
Teachers and principals rally to ensure no children and families seeking asylum are left without support during COVID-19
A group of principals and teachers have this week launched the No Child Left Behind campaign, calling on the federal government to prevent children and families becoming homeless and destitute in the current economic...
Refugee Week 2020 kicks off with examination of intersections of First Nations and refugee rights
As millions of people around the world speak out against the marginalisation of black and minority ethnic communities, Refugee Week launches this Sunday with an examination of the issue in relation to the refugee...
Media release: NSW joins interstate counterparts in helping asylum seekers left with no federal support
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed today’s New South Wales Government announcement of emergency funding to support people seeking asylum who have lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and been left...
Legislation an attempt to hide Government failure to act on COVID risks in immigration detention
The Federal Government’s announcement about legislation to extend search powers in immigration detention is a shameless attempt to distract attention from its failure to address the acute health risk to hundreds of...
Leading medical epidemiologist warns of major public health risk in excluding groups from COVID-19 response
A leading epidemiologist has warned of the risks to public health in excluding vulnerable groups.
Public health at risk as JobKeeper legislation leaves temporary visa holders with no support
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has renewed calls for the extension of crucial support to include all people in Australia, dismayed that the COVID-19 stimulus package legislated by Parliament today excludes...
