What are the policies and positions of the political parties running for Parliament?
Election Policy Comparison on Refugee and Asylum Issues. From Refugee Council of Australia
Nige has waited 16 years to reunite with his wife. Now, he fears they never will. By Sandra Fulloon, SBS News
Immigration remains an election issue with both sides forecasting a fall in net migration, next financial year. That’s worrying for families waiting to reunite, including an asylum seeker from Sri Lanka.
Pakistan expels 80,000 Afghans in two weeks amid crackdown on undocumented migrants By Libby Hogan, ABC News
Thousands of Afghans who have lived in Pakistan for years — some for decades —are being forced to return to a homeland they describe as unsafe, economically crippled, and socially repressive under Taliban rule.
Many cite fears over limited job prospects, insecurity, and the Taliban's ongoing restrictions on women, particularly the ban on girls' education.
Dandenong housing crisis leaves refugee families at risk of homelessness. By Sacha Payne, ABC News
In 2022, the federal government announced it would provide 31,500 places for Afghan nationals through the humanitarian and family visa programs, saying it "reflected a sustained commitment following Australia's two decades of operations in the country".
The allocation included 26,500 places for Afghan nationals within the humanitarian program to 2026.
Nearly 7,000 people from that program have come to Victoria, home to Australia's largest Afghan diaspora.
Many have gravitated to Dandenong, where there is a large existing community who speak Afghan languages like Dari and Pashto.
But they are increasingly falling through the cracks.
Dandenong housing crisis leaves refugee families at risk of homelessness. By Sacha Payne, ABC News
Belonging Nowhere: How hard is it to feel like you belong in Australia? SBS News Podcast series (Season 1 : Episode 2)
Many stateless people are displaced around the world, attempting to find somewhere they can call home. Their journeys can often take a heavy toll, as they deal with traumatic experiences, or need to hid their true identities as a persecuted minority. In this second episode of 'Belonging Nowhere' we’ll hear some of the many stories of how people from different stateless backgrounds come to Australia – and the difficulties they’ve faced trying to make a home.
Some listeners may find some of this content distressing
Petro Georgiou, the ‘conscience of the Liberal Party’, dies at 77. By Tony Wright, SMH
He refused an early offer to join Howard’s frontbench, making it clear he put a higher value on exercising his freedom to oppose the party’s hardline policies, particularly towards asylum seekers.
As member for the blue ribbon Melbourne electorate of Kooyong – famously the seat of his old political hero, Liberal Party founder Sir Robert Menzies, and now held by a teal – Georgiou was a voice for diversity and considered a champion of Indigenous Australians, underdogs and outsiders.
In mid-2006, Georgiou joined fellow Liberals of the time Russell Broadbent and Judi Moylan to cross the floor and vote against Howard’s legislation that would force all asylum seekers to be processed offshore.
Petro Georgiou, the ‘conscience of the Liberal Party’, dies at 77. By Tony Wright, SMH
Fleeing Taliban fighters, Ibrahim begs the country he helped – Australia – to save his family. By Ben Doherty, The Guardian
Mohammed Ibrahim, now in hiding with his wife, Amina, and two children, Daniel and Helene, is a target of the Taliban because he worked on behalf of the Australian government.
Peter Dutton keeps blaming migration for the housing crisis. But can it really be that simple? By Patrick Commins, The Guardian
Any way you look at it, and whether you like it or not, migration is shaping up as a major issue for the 2025 election.
Don't demonise asylum seekers, human rights groups warn politicians. By Olivia Caisley, ABC News
A coalition of refugee and human rights organisations has written to the leaders of the major parties, urging them to avoid dog-whistling and sowing division throughout the federal election campaign.
Signed by more than 30 groups, including Amnesty International and the Asylum Seekers Centre, the letter warns against using immigrants and asylum seekers as a political football and urges that these groups be treated with respect.
"Political debate — both during and outside election campaigns — has often seen people seeking asylum become the target of unacceptable rhetoric, often describing refugees and people seeking asylum in a degrading and hostile manner," the letter reads.
"This is a poor reflection on how Australia is perceived internationally and undermines our proud record as a truly multicultural nation and as a leader in refugee resettlement and protection principles."
Don't demonise asylum seekers, human rights groups warn politicians. By Olivia Caisley, ABC News
International students not to blame for rising rents, Australian study finds. By Conor Duffy, ABC News
There is no link between international student numbers and the cost of rent, according to the findings of a new Australian study that examined rental data between 2017 and 2024.
A record number of 849,113 international students studied in Australia in 2024, with some politicians claiming this contributed to a rental crisis.
What’s next?
The study's conclusion has been supported by the Property Council of Australia and a former senior public servant, while the university sector has warned politicians against cutting international student numbers.
Coalition accused of ‘exploiting racial issues’ after proposing antisemitism questions on citizenship test. By Krishani Dhanji, The Guardian
The opposition has been accused of “pitting” community groups against each other and using the Jewish community for political purposes, in suggesting citizenship tests should include questions on antisemitism.
The Australian National Imams Council told Guardian Australia the proposal raises “significant concerns” and divides communities rather than bringing them together.
What antisemitism questions could would-be citizens face? One country offers some clues. By Ewa Staszewska, SBS News
Would-be Australians may have to answer questions about antisemitism to gain citizenship if the Coalition forms government in May. The Coalition has revealed it will add new questions to the citizenship test to gauge attitudes towards Jewish people as it proposes ways to address growing security concerns.
The plan follows similar changes to Germany's citizenship test in 2024 amid a rise in antisemitic attacks.
Dr Hass Dellal, executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, welcomes a change but said the question should cover all forms of racism.
What antisemitism questions could would-be citizens face? One country offers some clues. By Ewa Staszewska, SBS News
Regional Australia needs more workers to rebuild after disasters like Alfred. Skilled refugees could help. By Sally Baker & Louise Oliff, The Conversation
Already it was hard to find people with the necessary skills to undertake infrastructure maintenance. Now people affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred are joining long wait lists for electricians, plumbers, builders and other services……………
……………Highly skilled refugees have told us the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot has helped them regain a foothold in their careers, and rebuild their and their children’s lives, while also helping meet regional skills shortages.
Programs matching skilled refugees with employers and regions desperate for skilled workers can be a win-win.
VIDEO: Refugees in PNG say new deal puts their safety at risk. ABC News
The Australian government helped Papua New Guinea draft new arrangements for refugees in the Pacific country, despite saying it has no ongoing role in their management.
VIDEO: Refugees in PNG say new deal puts their safety at risk - ABC News
PM promises a positive election campaign amid concerns of safety and polarisation, SBS News
In the run-up to this year's federal election, issues of community safety, polarisation and faltering social cohesion are coming to the fore. Advocates say migrant and refugee communities are feeling increasing division, and fear they will experience the affects of that in a federal election campaign.
PM promises a positive election campaign amid concerns of safety and polarisation, SBS News
Australian immigration and the federal election By Peter Hughes, P&I
The Albanese Government has done a reasonable job in repairing the immigration train wreck it inherited from the Coalition. However, excessive caution and fear of being wedged has severely limited its achievements. In the forthcoming election, the Dutton Opposition can be expected to be short on policy, but to stoke up fears about border security and foreigners. He will borrow from the nasty Trump playbook when convenient. Australia deserves better immigration policy and administration.
Australian immigration and the federal election By Peter Hughes, P&I
Maria is struggling to get ahead at work. She wonders if her accent is to blame. By Lera Shvets & Emma Brancatisano, SBS News
The survey suggested linguistic background affected female speakers, but had no effect for male speakers.
Canada’s immigration process is increasingly digitized, but that can make if difficult to navigate. By Ashika Niraula, The Conversation
Changes to immigration policies can often leave migrants confused about what their rights are and the opportunities available to them. This confusion can damage Canada’s image as a country welcoming to immigrants.
From Thai sweatshop to buying her own home, Nan says she owes her settled life to an Australian cafe program. By Esther Lozano & Shirley Glaister, SBS Spanish
Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello established Stepping Stone to provide hospitality skills to migrant and refugee women.
Dozens of women from 20 different countries have so far benefited from the program and worked at two cafes in the ACT.
The entrepreneurs, who ran an identical program in Colombia before the pandemic hit, were recently recognised with 'Local Hero' awards.
Mike's app helps prevent Australian shark attacks — but why are they rising? By Sandra Fulloon, SBS News
A migrant from India is helping to keep swimmers safer, with a service that sends alerts about shark activity.
Helping people to avoid contact with sharks is one reason Vasavada developed SharkSmart, after migrating from India as a student in 1999. Like many migrants, Vasavada remains cautious about Australia's powerful marine predators.
"People have a natural fear of sharks, and as somebody who migrated to Australia, I look at the water and I think there must be sharks out here," he says. "Of course, when you are living overseas people are always talking about sharks in Australia, as well."