A coalition of refugee organisations has condemned the federal government’s decision to slash support to people seeking asylum in the 2020-21 Budget. This decision, they say, puts over 100 000 people, including around...
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
Media release: Cut to Australian resettlement robs refugees of hope at a time of global crisis
The Federal Government has used its 2020-21 Budget to cut Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program by 5000 places a year and halve its financial assistance program to people seeking asylum while increasing funding...
State Premiers warned to prepare to support 500 refugees being abandoned by Federal Government
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has written to five State Premiers to warn them to prepare for the Federal Government’s latest move to strip financial assistance from more than 500 refugees and people seeking...
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
Rebecca Eckard, Director of Policy
Topics: People seeking asylum in Australia, Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS), Australia's refugee and asylum policies.
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
COVID-19 and humanitarian migrants on temporary visas: assessing the public costs
This paper estimates the impact of COVID-19. It finds that nearly 19,000 refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas will lose their jobs because of the current economic downturn.
Reports
COVID-19 and humanitarian migrants on temporary visas: assessing the public costs
This paper estimates the impact of COVID-19. It finds that nearly 19,000 refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas will lose their jobs because of the current economic downturn.
