Refugee Information

Refugees

United Nations definition
People who:

1.       Are outside their country of nationality or their usual country of residence and

2.       Are unable or unwilling to return to that country due to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. 

Some come from Afghanistan- to escape the fanatical Taliban government. They also come from Iraq, Iran and Somalia. People want to come to Australia, to get freedom for religion and beliefs. For many once they choose to leave their country they can’t return or they will be killed.

Rules for obtaining Australian Protection Visa

Asylum seekers who:

1.       Are refugees and owed protection in Australia

2.       Entered lawfully on genuine documents

3.       Meet health and character requirements

Are allowed a protection visa (PV), allowing permanent residence.

What if you comet to Australia without applying first?

The Temporary Protection Visa (TPV)

Asylum seekers who:

1.       Are refugees and owed protection

2.       Meet health and character requirements

BUT WHO HAVE ENTERED AUSTRALIA WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTS are granted TPV allowing 3 years temporary residence. People enter without authorisation as it is very hard to apply and the wait is for 72 weeks in the refugee camp. The legal authorised way is so long and hopeless and their lives are in danger and so they feel they must come to Australia the illegal way. If they come to Australia the illegal way they are denied the English classes that others are given.

How do refugees get here?

Refugees with proper documents arrive by air. But others start in Jakarta, they are taken by spotters to a cafe or hotel where the deal is made and thousands of dollars are spent. Once in Kupang they hide out till the spotters transfer them to a fishing boat.  They are then people smuggles from place to place until they reach Australia. Sometimes the boats are spotted by Australian air patrol.
This process was stopped at the end of 2001 and migration laws were changed. Ashmore reef was excluded from the migration zone, meaning anyone who landed there could not apply for a visa. They are instead transferred to detention centres in various parts of Australia.

Australia’s immigration laws

Our immigration laws require that people who arrive in Australia without authority to enter must be placed in immigration detention while their reasons being in Australia are investigated.

People go through so must stress in the detention centres, not knowing when to get out or if they will be killed. Many have left to seek a better life and have seen horrific things in their old life they want to escape from. One man says ‘I am very happy here’ though he wished others could be freed.