In the media
Israel-Palestine war
August’s news cycle was dominated by the Opposition leader’s claim that granting visas to Palestinians seeking safe haven from Gaza poses a national security risk. The former Immigration Deputy Secretary accused the Coalition of quoting him selectively in order to substantiate their position. Guardian Australia published an explainer on the situation and the security clearances that Palestinians need to pass in order to exit Gaza. Meanwhile the government granted healthcare and work rights to a small number of Israelis and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Australia. Reuters published an explainer on why the city of Jenin, and the large refugee camp there, is a focal point in the Israel-Palestine war.
Immigration Detention
Independent MP Kylea Tink moved a private member’s bill that would put a 90-day limit on immigration detention, including at offshore locations.
In the community
A Tamil man who was on bridging visas for over 11 years took his own life. The Tamil Refugee Council reported that he was the second asylum seeker to suicide in a month. The Saturday Paper featured a story on the community refugee sponsorship program, CRISP, and Guardian Australia ran a story on a social enterprise that is employing refugees as florists.
International
The perilous situation for Rohingya’s persists and was discussed in an interview on ABC Radio National. The number of Sudanese refugees entering Libya has surged. The largest ever refugee team at the 2024 Paralympics celebrated their first ever medal, in taekwondo. After suspending deportations to Afghanistan when the Taliban regained power, Germany has resumed deportations of Afghans who have committed crimes. In one of the worst drowning incidents in the English Channel, at least twelve people drowned when an overcrowded boat carrying many women and children sank.
In policy
As the revamped Administrative Appeals Tribunal AAT takes shape, The Saturday Paper published an assessment of the extent to which the government honoured it’s commitment to merits-based appointments.
In research
UNSW launched a research project into the professional development needs of women who were forcibly displaced prior to settling in Australia. The UNSW Kaldor Centre published a panel discussion on resettlement and complimentary protection.