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...
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
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...
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
Fast tracking statistics
The government introduced new system of determining who is a refugee for people who came by boat, called 'fast tracking'. How many decisions have they made? How many people are being recognised?
Reports
Keeping the Australian Government accountable: a guide
This guide is for refugees, people seeking asylum, and people advocating on their behalf. It provides information about different ways in which people can raise their issues with the government, and how they can find...
