Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce expresses dismay at October deadline for 7,500 asylum seekers
The Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce has expressed its dismay at Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s decision to give 7,500 asylum seekers living in Australia until October to lodge an application for protection as a refugee, describing his declaration that the “game is up” for “fake refugees” as “unbecoming” of an Australian Government minister. “The decision by […]
Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce welcomes ALP move to block Coalition bid to ban refugees
The Australian Churches’ Refugee Taskforce has welcomed the decision of the federal Labor party not to support a Turnbull Government move to subject asylum seekers who arrived after mid-2013 to a lifetime visa ban. ALP MPs and senators yesterday voted unanimously to oppose the bill introduced to Parliament yesterday. The Greens have also said they […]
Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce says Australian Government bid to enshrine ban on refugees in law will create further “fear, uncertainty and trauma”
Christian refugee advocates have said proposed laws aimed at banning refugees permanently from ever obtaining a visa to Australia will “create further fear, uncertainty and trauma” among those who have ever been transferred to the regional processing centres on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island. Under the proposed legislative amendments announced by Prime Minister Malcolm […]
Christian refugee advocates ‘disappointed’ at Australian Government announcement
The Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce has expressed disappointment at the Australian Government’s pledge to increase funding for refugee programs by $130 million over the next three years, saying it does little to redress cuts made to Australia’s overseas aid budget in recent years. Misha Coleman, executive officer of the ACRT, said there was “clearly nothing […]
Catholic sisters call on Australian PM to give “amnesty” to asylum seekers on Manus
Sisters from Catholic religious orders across Australia have signed a statement calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to issue an “amnesty” for asylum seekers held on Manus Island. Sr Monica Cavanagh, congregational leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, said celebrations in Sydney this week surrounding the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters […]