THREE Catholic agencies have joined forces to propose an alternative policy on asylum seekers, arguing Australia’s system of receiving, maintaining and processing them is in crisis.
The alternative has been put forward jointly by the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes (ACLRI), the Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes NSW (CLRINSW) and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council.
Their proposals are in a working paper, ‘Asylum Seekers in Australia – There is a Better Way’, which was launched at the National Press Club in Canberra on September 17.
Key elements are:
- Creation of a Commissioner for Refugees, independent of government but working closely with the department responsible for asylum seekers and refugees.
- Any person approaching or arriving on Australian territory would be given the chance to enter and claim asylum here.
- Once asylum has been requested, asylum seekers without docume
Antation would be cleared by Immigration and granted short-term entry visas as soon as possible, but no later than 60 days after arrival.
- While waiting for clearance, asylum seekers would live in reception centres of the lowest possible security and close to major centres so all relevant services can be provided. Priority would be given to keeping families together.
- Once given short-term visas, all asylum seekers would be free to reside in the community with full access to social services unless they had been found to be a risk to public safety or security. The commissioner would then mandate detention or visa restriction, with review by a competent and independent tribunal.
- There would be assistance for people ineligible for refugee status so that they can make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
