Refugee advocacy groups claimed that government cuts to the status resolution support service (SRSS) provided to around 12,000 asylum seekers leave them at risk of poverty and homelessness.
A Sri Lankan family remains in Australia, after an attempted deportation by the Australian Border Force. The family of four has lived in Australia for four years. The mother, Priya, has not received a final rejection of her asylum claim.
An Iranian refugee in Nauru, Fatemeh, was flown to Taiwan for critical heart surgery. Previously, the surgery was planned for Australia, but the Australian Border Force would not allow her son to travel with her. Fatemeh and her son, 17, flew to Taipei at Australian government expense.
Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei criticised Australian asylum policy while visiting the country for the Sydney Biennale. He said, ‘There is no excuse for any kind of policy which does not consider or protect very basic human rights.’