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Australia's Response to Refugees: A Comprehensive Analysis

Austin Ford

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Published in Across The Seas: Australia S Response To Refugees: A History

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Across the Seas: Australia's Response to Refugees: A History

by John Joe Schlichtman

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Language	:	English
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Australia's response to refugees has been a topic of extensive debate over the years. The country has a long history of both welcoming and rejecting asylum seekers. In recent years, Australia's refugee policies have become increasingly restrictive, leading to criticism from human rights groups and refugee advocates.

History of Australia's Refugee Policy

Australia's first refugee policy was established in 1947, following the end of World War II. The policy was designed to assist displaced persons from Europe, and it allowed for the resettlement of over 170,000 refugees in Australia.

In the 1970s, Australia began accepting refugees from Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam. This influx of refugees led to a number of changes to Australia's refugee policy, including the of a quota system and the establishment of offshore processing centers.

In the 1990s, Australia's refugee policy became increasingly restrictive. The government introduced a number of measures aimed at deterring asylum seekers from coming to Australia, including mandatory detention and the "Pacific Solution." The Pacific Solution involved sending asylum seekers to offshore processing centers in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

Current Refugee Policy

Australia's current refugee policy is based on the Refugee Convention, which Australia signed in 1954. The Refugee Convention defines a refugee as a person who is outside their country of origin and has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.

Australia's refugee policy is administered by the Department of Home Affairs. The department is responsible for processing asylum claims and determining whether or not an asylum seeker is eligible for refugee status.

Australia has a quota of 13,750 refugee places per year. This quota is divided into two streams: the Humanitarian Program and the Offshore Humanitarian Program. The Humanitarian Program is for refugees who are already in Australia and have applied for asylum. The Offshore Humanitarian Program is for refugees who are outside of Australia and have been referred to Australia by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Asylum seekers who arrive in Australia without a valid visa are subject to mandatory detention. They are held in detention centers while their asylum claims are being processed. If an asylum seeker is found to be a refugee, they will be granted a protection visa and will be allowed to stay in Australia. If an asylum seeker is found not to be a refugee, they will be deported back to their country of origin.

Controversies Surrounding Australia's Refugee Policy

Australia's refugee policy has been the subject of much controversy over the years. Critics of the policy argue that it is too harsh and that it violates Australia's obligations under international law. Human rights groups have condemned Australia's use of mandatory detention and offshore processing centers.

The Australian government has defended its refugee policy, arguing that it is necessary to protect the country's borders and to deter asylum seekers from coming to Australia. The government has also said that it is committed to providing protection to genuine refugees.

It is likely that the debate over Australia's refugee policy will continue in the years to come. The government will need to balance its obligations under international law with the need to protect the country's borders. It is hoped that the government will find a way to create a fair and humane refugee policy that protects the rights of asylum seekers while also ensuring the security of Australia.