Recognising Australia as home to the world’s oldest continuous living culture is central to the nation achieving its potential as a successful and open multicultural society. Much is being said this week about whether...
Media releases
Read our latest media releases here. You can also find by topic.More
Media release: Release of medevac refugees
Media release: Statement by Paul Power CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia The Refugee Council of Australia welcomes the decision by the Federal Government to release dozens of refugees who were previously...
New data reveals children of people seeking asylum left hungry as impact of COVID- 19 crisis deepens
As Australia celebrates low case numbers of COVID-19 and early signs of economic recovery, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has today released new figures revealing the extent of a deepening crisis amongst people...
Media release: Government’s decision to slash support for people seeking asylum will deepen worsening crisis, say refugee organisations
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 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...
International issues
RCOA Impact Report 2019-20
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...
1000 teachers, students and parents speak out for people seeking asylum during National Child Protection Week
1000 students, parents, teachers and educators – representing every state and territory – have released a public statement this week, calling on the Federal Government to extend support to families seeking asylum during...
The Refugee Council welcomes government plans for more flexible Adult Migrant English Program
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has today welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it plans to expand access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). RCOA chief executive officer Paul Power said...
Media release: New research shows huge economic costs of excluding people from support during pandemic
New research released today indicates that excluding refugees and people seeking asylum from financial support could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and exacerbate the nation’s health and homelessness...
Media release: Refugee Council deeply concerned for people in immigration detention as Mantra guard tests positive
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...
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...
Asylum issues
ICC ruling should prompt Australian Government to accept New Zealand resettlement option
Human rights and refugee sector unite to call on Australian Government to get people detained in offshore detention to safety in the wake of ICC ruling. Australia’s peak human rights and refugee rights organisations...
The Medevac Legislation is working as intended and must be retained
The findings presented today by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee are a clear indication that the Medevac legislation is functioning as intended and should be retained, the Refugee Council of...
Medical crisis on Manus and Nauru escalates: Morrison Government must act to avoid further tragedy
Joint media release by the Medical Evacuation Response Group After six years of offshore detention there is an unprecedented medical crisis on Manus and Nauru. Men and women, who have been detained by the Australian...
Morrison’s inclusive rhetoric cast aside with a harsh Budget for refugees
Prime Minister Scott Morrison's plan to be more welcoming and inclusive since the Christchurch terrorist attack has been cast aside with a Federal Budget which deals harshly with refugees and people seeking asylum.
Medical Evacuation Response Group established for urgent medical transfers from Manus and Nauru
Key national organisations have banded together to oversee and ensure the timely and orderly assessment of applications for medical transfers under the “Medevac Bill” by creating the Medical Evacuation Response Group...
Australians demand the humane treatment of people seeking asylum and refugees as historic vote passes Parliament
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...
