Media Statement, Friday 28 August 2026 The ASRC welcomes the Prime Minister’s intervention to maintain Australia’s humanitarian and refugee intake program at 20,000 places. We were shocked and deeply concerned when we saw the reports yesterday morning that the humanitarian intake would be cut by 30%. We have always advocated for a fair program. Yesterday
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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
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Media Release, Wednesday 26 August 2026 Today marks 25 years since Tampa, a defining moment that changed Australia’s treatment of refugees and our politics for a generation. On 26 August 2001, the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa rescued 433 people, predominantly refugees from Afghanistan, from a fishing boat north of Christmas Island. Instead of offering safe
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Media Release, Monday 17 August 2026 Over 160 community, charity, multicultural and migrant organisations have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warning that reported plans to remove work rights from people seeking asylum would force thousands of people into destitution and place enormous new pressure on already overstretched charities and community organisations. Media reports have
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Wednesday 12 August 2026 We are excited to announce that Kashif Hayat has been appointed as the ASRC’s Chief Operating Officer. As part of this appointment, Kashif’s existing role will move into the Office of the Executive, reflecting the breadth of his leadership and responsibilities across the organisation. Kashif brings more than 20 years of
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Media Release, Wednesday 5 August 2026 Human rights, refugee and migrant organisations are warning the Albanese Government not to capitulate to Pauline Hanson’s politics of hate by stripping rights from people seeking asylum in an attempt to appear tougher on migration. The ABC reported last night that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had postponed a
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