In the media
The High Court
The High Court ruled that it is lawful to indefinitely detain people when they do not cooperate with the deportation process. The court is currently hearing another case challenging the lawfulness of legislation requiring all former detainees to have curfews and ankle bracelets placed on them. The court heard that the blanket nature of the legislation, whereby Ministerial discretion was removed at the urging of the Coalition, is a key reason to rule that the legislation is unlawful.
Detention and ex-detainees
The flawed risk assessment tool used in immigration detention, and covered in an earlier monthly wrap, cannot be improved because the ABF data that it uses is unreliable. Since last month’s reporting of the Perth violent home invasion by ex-detainees, the media reported that one of the accused was released from detention when the Coalition were in government.
In Nauru
Thirty-three people who reached Christmas Island by boat were transferred to Nauru. It was unclear whether they had intended to claim asylum. They joined the approximately 54 people who were already on Nauru.
Palestinians in Gaza and Australia
Around ¼ of Palestinians who have come to Australia since the Israel-Hamas war started, have lodged protection applications. Meanwhile the government confirmed that 4,614 Palestinians abroad have been refused a visa on the basis that their intention to stay temporarily was not credible.
In the community
SBS The Feed published a story on the difficulties that people have proving their sexuality when being LGBT in their country of origin was illegal. A South Australian refugee organisation launched an app for migrants and refugees to find relevant services and info. On her return to Kakuma refugee camp, after 18 years, Nyadol Nyuon reflected [video story] on the role that the camp library played in shaping her future.
International
In Sudan, Human Rights Watch demanded action to address ethnic cleansing that is occurring amidst the ongoing civil war. Ethiopia’s Digital ID program was described as transformational for refugees. The UNHCR commended Brazil for its integration-focused refugee policies and The Conversation profiled the large Palestinian community in Chile. Public servants in the UK launched a court case against the government on the basis that the Rwanda transfer legislation will require them to break the law. The Conversation published an analysis of how the Rwanda transfer program challenges international law. The US government commenced trials to use AI to conduct asylum interviews.
In policy
The Refugee Council of Australia published an analysis of the federal budget as it pertains to the refugee sector. The proposed new deportation laws could result in people who have been in Australia since childhood being deported. The Coalition announced it will pursue amendments to the bill, with a focus on the best interests of children and any impact on diaspora communities arising from the proposed power to dent certain nationalities from applying for protection. After the revelation that a man, now accused of murder, had had his humanitarian visa reinstated by the AAT despite his propensity to violence, the government announced it will amend Direction 99 to require greater emphasis on public safety. SBS News published an explainer on Direction 99. The government has closed the Locally Engaged Employee program that assisted the evacuation of Afghans whose lives were in danger because they had worked with Australian forces.
In research
The World Health Organisation published a report on the third consultation on refugee and migrant health. Philomena Murray and Ainoa Cabada co-authored a paper on the intersection between academics and policy and how academics can work more effectively with refugees and advocates. The UNSW Kaldor Centre co-authored an analysis into the gender and sexuality-based risks for people who are subject to government policies that contract out their refugee obligations to other nations. The Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness opened applications for its 2025 PhD program.
New releases
Safe Haven, a book by Shankari Chandran, published by Ultimo.