A group of principals and teachers have this week launched the No Child Left Behind campaign, calling on the federal government to prevent children and families becoming homeless and destitute in the current economic...
Media releases
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Refugee Week 2020 kicks off with examination of intersections of First Nations and refugee rights
As millions of people around the world speak out against the marginalisation of black and minority ethnic communities, Refugee Week launches this Sunday with an examination of the issue in relation to the refugee...
Media release: NSW joins interstate counterparts in helping asylum seekers left with no federal support
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed today’s New South Wales Government announcement of emergency funding to support people seeking asylum who have lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and been left...
Legislation an attempt to hide Government failure to act on COVID risks in immigration detention
The Federal Government’s announcement about legislation to extend search powers in immigration detention is a shameless attempt to distract attention from its failure to address the acute health risk to hundreds of...
Leading medical epidemiologist warns of major public health risk in excluding groups from COVID-19 response
A leading epidemiologist has warned of the risks to public health in excluding vulnerable groups.
Public health at risk as JobKeeper legislation leaves temporary visa holders with no support
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has renewed calls for the extension of crucial support to include all people in Australia, dismayed that the COVID-19 stimulus package legislated by Parliament today excludes...
International issues
Community health at risk if temporary visa holders left unprotected
Australia cannot afford to ignore the needs of temporary visa holders in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) says. While welcoming the Federal Government’s...
Extend COVID-19 supplementary payments and Medicare to all people in Australia in need, Refugee Council of Australia says
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has called for the Federal Government to extend the supplementary payments under its new Coronavirus package and access to Medicare to all people in Australia in need, including...
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...
Making refugee resettlement work for Queensland: Refugee Alternatives Conference comes to Brisbane
As Queensland continues to help resettle refugees in regional areas, hundreds of experts – including many with refugee experience – will convene in Brisbane this week to forge alternatives for refugee and...
Thousands of Australians to celebrate Year of Welcome in 2020
In 2020, Australians are being asked to “make a resolution that counts”. Thousands will take action to welcome refugees and people seeking asylum, as part of the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)’s “Year of Welcome”...
Australian Government Ministers Missing As The World Gathers For Global Refugee Forum
Ministers from 69 states will be present but Australian Government ministers noticeably absent when the world gathers in Geneva this week for the largest-ever forum on the global response to refugees. The Global Refugee...
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...
