While the Senate Subcommittee came out in favour of a much-amended Migration Amendment Bill 2024 … it is not too late to reject the premise of the legislation or to create a more coherent Bill, whose wider implications are intentional and more integrated, say advocates.

Refugee advocates invite Senators to reject the Bill a second time and trigger a broader review of deportation powers in the wider context of all immigration legislation.

The Budget should not be used as a smokescreen for passage of a sloppy Bill accompanied by a few haphazard amendments.

The entire matrix of legislation becomes increasingly patchwork and draconian if sweeping and discriminatory powers for deportation (affecting any single immigration category) are passed.

Over 500 submissions to the Labor-dominated Senate inquiry opposed the bill. The submission by Home Affairs itself represented the only significant support for the bill.

Dissenters within the inquiry included the Greens, independent Senator Pocock and even the Coalition.

“It is ironic but welcome that the Coalition which stranded children on Nauru has suddenly expressed a concern for minors,” said long-term refugee supporter Jane Salmon.

“However, they are doing this to flay the Government, rather than to generate coherent solutions to immigration dilemmas.

“When in power, the Coalition has displayed no respect for the human rights of minors” remarked refugee advocate Jane Salmon. “Topsy turvy world, isn’t it!”

“Almost all deportations potentially impact children born here or overseas”.

“Ironically, the Government is also importing tradies while denying refugee tradies here for 12 years the right to work and contribute to the economy.

“The contributions of refugees are being overlooked.

“Australia has invested in the education of young matriculating students in immigration limbo who, under this Amendment, are still denied a pathway into higher education and professions.

“Many children of Iranian parents have grown up wearing western fashions, expressing themselves openly and with a capacity for higher education. Meanwhile they have family members who have been harassed, disappeared or executed back in Iran. These kids are actually terrified of the Bill.

Abbas Ghezzy’s father returned to Iran during Covid. Being stateless, he had no work or source of income whilst in Australia. He had protested Iran’s treatment of racial minorities in Canberra while here. On his return, he was detained, beaten and has since disappeared. The family was warned to cease demonstrations in Australia.

Abbas’s remaining family in Australia still has no pathway to protection.

Abbas says he finds the Bill “racist and discriminatory.”

Communities are stressed to be sure.

‘Golden Ticket’ or student migration levels may be set too high, says Salmon, but it is not refugees who are causing inflation or crowding Australians out of affordable housing.

The Bill still offers no solutions for victims of the flawed and failed “Fast Track” process.

“It is important that the wrong-doing of a handful of neglected and now mentally ill and former detainees (few of whom are actually recognised as refugees) does NOT become the pretext for wholesale cruelty. Media is still stereotyping and distorting issues related to the ASF-17 case.”

“Human rights are not assisted by this sort of general scapegoating or criminalisation of the stateless or those legitimately seeking protection by Australia as refugees.”

An overall review of Home Affairs is needed. Independent MP Kylea Tink again called for such a review again on Tuesday night at a Climate 200 fundraiser in the electorate of Bradfield.

“Let’s make sure all pieces of the immigration puzzle fit together properly,” said Ms Salmon.

Rallies on Saturday, May 11th:

• Sydney: RAC Sydney rally at 12 noon at Sydney Town Hall. Facebook event.
• Brisbane: RAC Qld rally at 10am at Reddacliff Place, 266 George Street. Facebook event.
• Melbourne: RAC Vic rally at 2pm at the State Library. Facebook event.