JRS Responds to Budget Speech

14 May 2008

Jesuit Refugee Service has welcomed changes to the Australian Government's policy on refugees announced in last night's budget, but has called for further reform of the system.

Announced in last night's budget were a number of changes to policy, including the abolition of temporary protection visas, a feasibility study on the refurbishment of Villawood IDC and the extension of the Community Care Pilot which looks to the needs of people with complex cases and recognises that immigration issues are linked with welfare, housing and other questions, and the lifting of the quota of refugees, with a one-off increase of 500 new places in 2009, and a permanent increase of 750 places in 2009/10.

Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Australia, Fr David Holdcroft SJ, says the changes announced last night are a good start from the new Labor government. ‘The government is beginning to take on its fair share of responsibility for the world's refugees,' he says. ‘The abolition of temporary protection visas will make it possible for refugees to be reunited with their families. We also welcome the extension of the community care programme for vulnerable refugees.'

Fr Holdcroft says JRS had been calling for the government to lift the quota of refugees for a long time. ‘We are happy for the increase in the quota for refugees, although we feel that Australia could do more. The small number of refugees our country takes in each year is miniscule compared to the numbers fleeing conflict and persecution.'