FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 February 2019 Today’s historic vote on the urgent medical treatment bill delivered a decisive message to the government: Australians want an end to the abhorrent treatment of people in...
Media centre
The Refugee Council of Australia often speaks to the media. We can provide background and comment on issues of the day. We have a number of staff who are experts on almost all areas of refugee policy.
We also regularly issue media releases.
Our latest media releases
Watershed moment in refugee politics and Australian history
12 FEBRUARY 2019 Refugee and human rights organisations rejoiced today as the House of Representatives overturned 90 years of tradition and a toxic debate to vote authoritatively to deliver medical care to the...
Australian Government agencies must explain their role in Hakeem Al-Araibi’s arrest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 12 FEBRUARY 2019 The Australian Government owes Hakeem Al-Araibi a full explanation of the role played by government agencies in the circumstances which led to his arrest and...
Who you can talk to
Our experts
Paul Power, Chief Executive Officer
Topics: Breaking news, major international stories, refugee communities, the national picture, the refugee sector, and more.
Kelly Nicholls, Director of Communications
Topics: Our major campaigns, breaking news, offshore processing.
Our policy experts
Dr Joyce Chia, Director of Policy
Topics: Australia's refugee and asylum policies, refugee status determination, legal news.
Rebecca Eckard, Deputy Director of Policy
Topics: People seeking asylum in Australia, Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS), Australia's refugee and asylum policies.
Dr Louise Olliff, Senior Adviser, International and Community Engagement
Topics: International issues, UN advocacy, refugee communities and self-representation, diasporas.
Sahar Okhovat, Senior Policy Officer
Topics: Offshore processing, detention in Australia, rural and regional settlement
Asher Hirsch, Senior Policy Officer
Topics: Education, citizenship, community sponsorship
Shukufa Tahiri, Policy Officer
Topics: Employment, refugee communities, self-representation, young people
Hot topics
Background information
Statistics
Statistics on people in detention in Australia
As of 31 August 2018, there were 1,303 people in held detention, with key sites being Villawood (485) and Yongah Hill (306). On average they had been there 468 days, with 273 people having spent more than 730 days in...
Reports
RCOA Impact Report 2017-18
We promote humane and compassionate policies for people seeking safety in Australia and around the globe. While we cannot predict the wars, conflicts and oppressive regimes that will force people to seek asylum, we can...
