Family reunion remains a significant issue for refugee communities in Australia. Family separation causes significant psychological, social and economic harm to displaced communities. Instead of supporting the reunion of refugee families, the current law and policies make it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for refugees to bring their family members to Australia.
Two of the Refugee Council of Australia’s policy staff, Sahar Okhovat and Asher Hirsch, have published a journal article on this important topic, together with Khanh Hoang and Rebecca Dowd from Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.
This article outlines the barriers to family reunion for refugees under Australian law and policy and addresses how such policies could be reformed to better facilitate reunification.
