ASRC urges the Albanese Government to deliver fairness and compassion for refugees in final budget before election

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is calling on the Albanese Government to use tonight’s Federal Budget to deliver on its promises of fairness, compassion and lasting protection for refugees and people seeking asylum.

This is Labor’s final chance before the Federal Election to demonstrate leadership by ensuring people seeking asylum have access to basic supports and permanent protection. These were key commitments Labor made when elected.

The ASRC has laid out clear, practical measures the Government can take in this budget to provide safety and stability for people seeking asylum, relieve pressure on frontline services, and honour its policy platform in our 2022-25 Budget Priorities document here.

The ASRC is calling for the Albanese Government to:

• Fund the immediate evacuation of refugees remaining in Papua New Guinea and Nauru to Australia and end the policy of offshoring people seeking asylum and refugees
• Commit to ending Australia’s immigration detention regime
• Urgently resource the transition to permanency for 8,125 people failed by the Fast Track process
• Facilitate family reunion for refugees separated from their loved ones due to lengthy visa processing delays
• Provide ongoing work and study rights for people seeking asylum during the refugee status determination process
• Ensure universal safety and mainstream social support for all refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia
• Increase Australia’s humanitarian intake urgently, especially to respond to the continued humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

Recent Redbridge polling commissioned by the ASRC showed that a majority of voters believe that Australia has a responsibility to accept refugees and people seeking asylum, and that refugees who have arrived in Australia should be treated fairly. With over 50% supporting work and study rights for those awaiting the outcome of their refugee determination application and that people failed by the flawed Fast Track process should be given permanent protection or the right to re-apply.

The ASRC is urging the Albanese Government to deliver a budget that ensures no one is left behind.

Jana Favero, ASRC Deputy CEO, said:

“This budget is not just about numbers – it’s about the values we choose to uphold.

“Labor came to power promising fairness, integrity and dignity for people seeking asylum. Tonight’s budget is their last chance before the election to show they mean it.

“Right now, community organisations are carrying the weight of a broken system. People seeking asylum are living in poverty, facing homelessness and unable to access basic healthcare.

“In recent months alone, we have seen a 45% increase in demand for our foodbank. The majority of people who access our services have no right to work, study or income. Cost of living pressures must be addressed for all in our community, including people seeking asylum.

“The Government has both the means and the responsibility to fix this.”

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