MEDIA RELEASE: Cuts to refugee intake would betray Labor’s humanitarian values

Media Release, Thursday 27 August 2026

The Albanese Government is reportedly considering walking away from Labor’s commitment to maintain Australia’s humanitarian intake at 20,000 places a year, just one month after this was endorsed at Labor’s National Conference.

The cut would reduce opportunities for people fleeing conflict and persecution to find safety in Australia, while making it even harder for Australian families waiting to reunite with loved ones from countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan and Gaza.

This comes as the global refugee protection system faces growing pressure from escalating conflict and displacement, while the United States has dramatically retreated from refugee resettlement under President Donald Trump, leaving refugees around the world without any chance of rebuilding their lives in safety.

At a time like this, the Albanese Government should be showing leadership and sticking by its values by defending the right to seek safety and strengthening its contribution to the global refugee protection system. Instead, it seems they are considering choosing to allow far-right voices to drag the country down a Trumpian path of scapegoating and division.

If these reports are true, it is appalling. The ASRC is calling on the Albanese Government to honour Labor’s National Conference commitment to maintain Australia’s humanitarian intake at 20,000 places a year.

Jana Favero, Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre said:

“We are deeply shocked and surprised by the reports. This has come out of nowhere and attacks refugee rights and our humanitarian program – a program deeply rooted in Australia’s values and identity.”

The Albanese Government has a critical choice before it – play into the far-right’s hateful and divisive politics and follow them down a Trumpian path, or show strength and leadership by honoring its humanitarian commitments to the world, and to its own party membership.”

“There are already Australian families desperately waiting to bring loved ones to safety from Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Gaza and conflicts around the world. Cutting refugee places means this becomes even less possible – keeping families apart and preventing them from rebuilding their lives together. It’s appalling.”

“If these reports are true, it would mean the Government is increasingly willing to let far-right voices dictate the terms of the migration debate, even when that means abandoning its values and commitments made by its own party just weeks ago.”

“We are urgently seeking clarification from Minister Burke and Prime Minister Albanese. The ASRC has always advocated for a strong humanitarian program that responds to the scale of global protection needs, and we will fight to protect it because we see first-hand what is at stake for refugees and their families.”

ENDS

For media enquiries or interviews, contact:

Natasha Blucher on 0412 034 821 or media@asrc.org.au