Refugee Week a timely call for Federal Government to do more

Refugee Week (15th -21st June) is a critical reminder that the Federal Government must ensure the
safety and wellbeing of people who have sought asylum in Australia. It is also an opportunity to
celebrate the positive contributions refugees from a wide array of cultures have made to Australian
life, says the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA).

“This year’s Refugee Week theme, Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community, encourages us to
reflect on stories of people leaving their homes in fear of harm and persecution and be resolute in
our responsibility to welcome them with open arms to live safe and free lives,” says Jesuit Social
Services Acting CEO Michael Livingstone. Jesuit Social Services convenes CAPSA.

Refugee Week, coordinated by the Refugee Council of Australia, features special events and
performances around Australia, from markets to musical performances.

“This week is a great opportunity to better educate ourselves about the refugee experience, and the
issues refugees are facing here and around the world. I encourage everyone to engage with what’s
on offer during the week,” Mr Livingstone says.

Refugee Week also marks the 10 year anniversary of CAPSA – an alliance which works to change
harmful policies and promote more compassionate treatment of refugees and people seeking
asylum.

During the recent federal election campaign, CAPSA and its member organisations called on political
parties to commit to policies that uphold the dignity and rights of refugees and people seeking
asylum in Australia.

“We believe the re-elected Labor Government has an opportunity to significantly improve outcomes
for refugees and people seeking asylum. This could be done immediately by ending uncertainty for
people seeking asylum, providing fair and timely pathways to permanency in Australia,” says Mr
Livingstone.

“Additionally, we call on the Government to ensure people seeking asylum have access to work and
study rights, as well as other public services including Medicare, housing and financial support; to
end offshore detention and processing and quickly re-settle all people in Australia; and to increase
Australia’s humanitarian intake and expand the existing community support program which covers
most expenses and assists people to become part of the community.”

“This Refugee Week, we urge the re-elected Government to show moral leadership, leveraging its
significant election win to ensure Australia’s treatment of people seeking asylum reflects our
collective values of solidarity, compassion, respect for human dignity, and our desire to do good.”