THE Catholic Church has welcomed a Federal Government decision to allow thousands of people on Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) to apply for permanent visas.
Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Joseph Grech of Sandhurst, said the move would end the uncertainty of the 9500 people who had been found to be in need of Australia’s protection.
Bishop Grech said the government’s policy meant TPV holders had been living in fear of being sent back to the situation from which they had fled.
He said granting permanent residence to all refugees, regardless of how they arrived, meant people could rebuild their lives and their confidences.
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has been more cautious in its reaction to the TPV changes, concerned they do not go far enough.
NCCA General Secretary, Lutheran Rev John Henderson, said: ‘We hope that the government will continue to adjust its policies to deal more humanely with people who arrive here seeking sanctuary.’
The NCCA’s national education and advocacy officer, James Thomson, said on their own the measures were not enough.
He said Australia was the only country in the world that granted recognised refugees temporary protection.
