Urgent policy reform needed to fix fast track injustice affecting thousands of refugees

Refugee advocates are calling for the new Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Tony Burke, to urgently provide victims of the flawed Fast Track process with permanent protection visas.

Thousands of people have been living in limbo for more than 11 years because their claims were not properly assessed under the unfair Fast Track process introduced by the Abbott Government in 2014.

Refugee supporters are calling for urgent protection to address the widespread mental health and homelessness issues arising from the lack of a safety net and certainty while refugees wait for their protection claims to be heard.

The call comes as Iranian and Tamil refugees in Melbourne embark on their fourth week of camping outside in freezing weather in a 24-hour-a-day protest to highlight the need for permanent protection.

According to Paul Dalzell, President, Rural Australians for Refugees:

“We thank Ministers Giles and O’Neil for their inroads into a more compassionate approach for refugee and asylum seekers. Now is the time for Labor to complete their reform agenda as set out in their 2022 election platform – and take the reins on eradicating divisive politics around the issue of refugee rights.”