Open letter urges Government to resolve Fast Track failures

Dear Prime Minister and Minister Burke, 

We write urging you to take immediate action to provide pathways to permanency for all those failed by the former Coalition government’s ‘Fast Track’ system.

As you know, more than 8,400 people failed by Fast Track have been in Australia for over a decade. They have built lives in the community – they have found work, made families and had children, many of whom are now Australian citizens. Yet they live in constant uncertainty, afraid of being uprooted from their lives, sent back to harm and facing continued, indefinite separation from their families.

This Government can and should allow people to finally build their futures here with certainty. They are our neighbours and our community, and Australia has been their home for over a decade.

Our plea to you is in solidarity with the refugee-led movement of hundreds of people who have been protesting across Australia against the Fast Track system they have endured. Today they marked 100 days of continuous protest in Melbourne.

The women, men and children leading this protest movement have faced difficult conditions, including cold weather and physical attacks, calling for an end to the limbo. Their calls have so far gone unanswered.

The Australian Labor Party has long recognised the Fast Track process was flawed and unfair, and has made some important steps towards addressing that unfairness. However, these actions have had no impact for the majority of the 8,400 people failed by Fast Track. 

It is time now for the government to lead with compassion and resolve the situation for the over 8,400 people before the next Federal Election. 

Legal and human rights organisations are in agreement that providing swift, fair and safe pathways to permanency for this group is the only answer. 

It is absolutely within the government’s power to end this cruelty. This does not require any new laws to be passed by Parliament. 

We call on the government to rise above the politics of fear and division, and act swiftly and fairly, with clear communication and timeframes.

Yours sincerely,

Amnesty International Australia
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Refugee Council of Australia
Asylum Seekers Centre
Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT)
Human Rights Law Centre
Refugee Advice & Casework Service
SCALES Community Legal Centre
Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS)
Jesuit Refugee Service Australia (JRS)
Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service
Federation of Community Legal Centres (Victoria) Inc
Human Rights for All
Immigration Advice and Rights Centre
National Justice Project
Liberty Victoria
Democracy in Colour
Welcoming Australia
Queensland Community Alliance
Mums4Refugees
Justice and Peace Office
Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Catholics for Refugees
Refugee Action Coalition Sydney
Teachers for Refugees NSW
Refugee Action Collective VIC
Social Responsibilities Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
Social Responsibilities Committee, Anglican Church Southern Queensland
Refugee Action Collective Eurobodalla
Combined Refugee Action Group
Wesley Asylum Seeker Welcome Place
Jews for Refugees
Rural Australians for Refugees Griffith
Rural Australians for Refugees Warrnambool
Rural Australians for Refugees Bendigo
Rural Australians for Refugees Ballarat 
Rural Australians for Refugees Southern Highlands
Rural Australians for Refugees–Strathbogie Shire
Rural Australians for Refugees – Trentham
Refugee Advocacy Network
Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project
Bayside Refugee Advocacy and Support Association (BRASA)
Australian Refugee Action Network (ARAN)
Wellspring Community of Australia Inc
CaseyCardinia for Refugees
Cisarua Learning Ltd (CLL)
Kommonground Inc
Grandmothers for Refugees [Blue Mountains]
Ballarat Afghan Action Group (BAAG)
Adelaide Vigil For Manus and Nauru
Teachers for Refugees NSW
Asia Pacific Network of Refugees
Doctors 4 Refugees
Grandmothers for Refugees
People Just Like Us
The Bayside Refugee Advocacy and Support Association
Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
Rural Australians for Refugees Queenscliff
Rural Australians for Refugees
Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy
Northern Rivers for Refugees
National Amnesty Refugee Network
Amnesty Newcastle and Central Coast
Love Makes A Way
Refugee Action Campaign Canberra
Northsiders With Refugees
Justice for Refugees SA
Refugee Action Collective – Queensland
Grandmothers for Refugees (Kooyong)
Manus Lives Matter (Canberra)
Permanency and Family Reunion Network
Academics for Refugees
The Dignity Project  Toowoomba
The End Child Detention Coalition
House of Welcome
Uki Refugee Project