While Queenscliff RAR welcomed the transitioning of approximately 19,000 refugees on Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs) or Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) to permanency, we remain extremely concerned that no pathway to permanency has been announced for about 8000 people whose refugee claims were rejected under the flawed and unfair Fast Track process. Nearly 13 years of living in fear and uncertainty has led to critical levels of mental anguish, early deaths and high suicide risk.

Queenscliff RAR believes that people's contributions and commitment to Australia over the past 12 years must be recognised and form a pathway to permanency. This would consider family and community ties, work-related factors, well-being factors and contributions to Australian society over the past 12 years.

The granting of permanent visas will provide these people with Safety, Security and Certainty. Acts of justice and kindness make us all stronger, including governments.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

You can help by writing to Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration & Citizenship with a copy to your local MP.
Tell him in your own words that:

¨ NOW is the time to grant permanent visas to the asylum seekers from the flawed and unfair ‘Fast Track’ process.  

¨ Australians sent a clear message at the recent Federal Election that they want a society that is inclusive, equitable and kind.

¨ Living in indefinite limbo, and in separation from family, for almost 13 years has had a dire effect on people's mental and physical health.  Too many lives have been lost already. 

¨ The current assessment of individual Ministerial  Intervention Requests  for permanency  is  extremely slow, inefficient, inconsistent, and will take years to complete.

¨ UN advice states that signatory states should allow asylum seekers, who have been living in their countries for a significant amount of time, to settle there.

¨ Granting permanent residence status can be undertaken immediately through a simple ‘regularisation’ process for people seeking asylum who have been part of, and contributing to, our Australian communities for years.  

¨ This process would be quick, efficient, cohort-limited and consistent for all.  People would still have to meet specific identity, health, security and character requirements.

Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration & Citizenship
PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/contact-the-minister

Send a copy of your letter to
Richard Marles MP or Libby Coker MP (or your local MP if outside of the Geelong area).
Richard.Marles.MP@aph.gov.au
Libby.Coker.MP@aph.gov.au

What to write:

Use some, or all, of the points above to tell Minister Burke why now is the time to act, why taking action is important, and what action should be taken. 

Start your letters by saying something about yourself, to individualise your letter.  Make sure you include your name, address and contact information.  

Increase your knowledge about this issue by downloading and reading this fact sheet.
TAKE ACTION!   REGULARISE THE STATUS OF PEOPLE LEFT BEHIND IN THE FAST TRACK’ COHORT TO PERMANENCY