“A win for compassion”: Kate Chaney MP applauds announcement of pathway to permanency for refugees in limbo (13 February 2023)
Kate Chaney MP has commended the Federal Government on today’s much-anticipated announcement of a pathway to permanency for around 19,000 refugees living on Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas across Australia.
“So many people in my community of Curtin have expressed their shame at our approach to refugees over the past decade. We have used people as political footballs.”
The move fulfils a key election promise made by Labor.
“Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has assured me that the eight months since the federal election has been used to ensure that processes are clear, so that refugees can get the support they need to effectively transition to a Resolution of Status visa.”
Ms Chaney noted that this change will take pressure off worker shortages and most importantly, give people their lives back.
“It has been a hard decade of uncertainty for many and an emotional time since the May 2022 election, as hope for a shift in policy was stretched thin.
“This is a great day for Australia. It is a significant step towards a more compassionate approach to how we treat people escaping persecution across the world.
“Today I would like to thank the community groups in Curtin and all over the country who refused to accept that this was how we treated people in Australia and kept advocating for and supporting refugees living in limbo.”
Last week, Ms Chaney shared the story of one such refugee in Parliament.
“I am looking forward to hearing from people like Jan Ali Haidari, when he finally gets the chance to see his wife and three kids after so many years. The Grandmothers for Refugees and the Nedlands Uniting Church Refugee Group will be celebrating tonight!
“Almost every group I spoke to during the election campaign in Curtin expressed their hope for a kinder, more humane approach to how we treat refugees. Since the election, I have been contacted by nearly 300 constituents about the treatment of refugees and I have done my best to voice their concerns to Canberra. I am proud that I, and other crossbenchers, have kept this issue front and centre for the Government and contributed towards this announcement on behalf of our communities.
“In every meeting I have had with Minister Giles, I have been compelled by his sincerity in seeking a fair and compassionate resolution. I am glad we have reached this milestone and will continue to hold the Government to account in implementing this momentous change.
“There is still work to be done in relation to offshore and onshore detention and our humanitarian intake, but today, we are celebrating that people like Jan Ali Haidari can start making long-term plans and fully commit to their lives in Australia.”
