In this issue of Your Voice, we will take you behind the scenes of some of the advocacy that your support has made possible, including gaining regular access to the Minister of Immigration. You can read about how your...
Media releases
Read our latest media releases here. You can also find by topic.More
Afghanistan Helpsheet
The Refugee Council of Australia stands in solidarity with the Afghan community at this time of crisis and is advocating for the Australian Government to take urgent action and do more to provide safety and leadership...
Government review highlights urgent need to replace its refugee sponsorship program
The Australian Government’s review of its Community Support Program (CSP) has highlighted the urgent need for a new model of community sponsorship of refugees which is more affordable, less discriminatory and better...
Refugee Council welcomes NSW Government $6 million emergency package for people seeking asylum
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed a new NSW Government emergency support package as a much-needed response to growing destitution among people seeking asylum. RCOA CEO Paul Power said the NSW...
After eight years of offshore processing, where to from here?
Background about 19 July decision and its bipartisan support Eight years ago, on 19 July 2013, then Labor Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made an announcement that further hardened the newly-restarted offshore processing...
Being LGBTIQ+ and seeking asylum during COVID
Media release: July 2, 2021 BEING LGBTIQ+ AND SEEKING ASYLUM DURING COVID Understanding mental health considerations of LGBTIQ+ people who are seeking asylum or are refugees during COVID, is just one of the...
International issues
Refugee Alternatives Conference Virtual Announcement
In light of recent government restrictions and the ongoing developments of COVID-19 in NSW, we have made the difficult decision to take our Refugee Alternatives Conference co-hosted by Whitlam Institute within Western...
Meet our Refugee Week ambassadors
Media release June 11, 2021 They’ve created YouTube music channels, been on major TV shows, won international Karate tournaments and picked up multiple awards for advocacy. That’s just a few of the achievements among...
Govt chooses detention over hope for world’s refugees in budget
Media release May 11, 2021 Statement by Paul Power CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia The Australian Government is allocating hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding to immigration detention – but offering...
Refugee Council welcomes Govt extension of visas for people from Myanmar
Media release May 5, 2021 Statement by Paul Power CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia The Australian Government’s decision to extend visas for people currently in Australia from Myanmar is a compassionate measure...
Lives will be put at risk by planned changes to federal legislation
Statement by Paul Power, CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia People’s lives will be put at risk by planned changes to Federal legislation that would allow visa and citizenship applications to be decided on secret...
Our PM needs to act
Statement by Paul Power CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia Our Prime Minister should follow the powerful example set by US President Joe Biden and recognise that humanitarianism is a core value at the centre of any...
Asylum issues
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...
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...
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.
