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Australia's Response to Refugees: A Comprehensive Examination

Adam Hayes

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

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Australia's response to refugees has been a topic of considerable debate and controversy in recent years. The country has a long history of providing protection to refugees and asylum seekers, but its policies and practices have also been criticized for being harsh and inhumane.

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

by John Joe Schlichtman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2792 KB
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In this book, leading experts on refugee law and policy provide a comprehensive examination of Australia's response to refugees. The book explores the historical, legal, and ethical dimensions of Australia's refugee program, and provides a detailed analysis of the current challenges and opportunities facing the country in this area.

Historical Overview

The first refugees to arrive in Australia were Irish Catholics fleeing religious persecution in the 1840s. In the years that followed, Australia also welcomed refugees from other parts of Europe, as well as from Asia and Africa. After World War II, Australia played a significant role in resettling refugees from Europe, including many Holocaust survivors.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Australia began to receive a growing number of refugees from Southeast Asia. This influx of refugees led to a number of policy changes, including the of mandatory detention for asylum seekers.

Legal Framework

Australia's response to refugees is governed by a complex legal framework. The Refugee Convention, which Australia signed in 1951, defines a refugee as a person who has a "well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion." Under the Refugee Convention, Australia is obligated to provide protection to refugees.

In addition to the Refugee Convention, Australia has a number of domestic laws that govern its response to refugees. These laws include the Migration Act 1958, which sets out the criteria for refugee status in Australia, and the Migration Regulations 1994, which provide for the detention of asylum seekers.

Current Challenges

Australia's response to refugees faces a number of challenges. One challenge is the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving in the country. In 2013-14, over 15,000 asylum seekers arrived in Australia by boat. This influx of asylum seekers has put a strain on Australia's resources and has led to a tightening of asylum policies.

Another challenge is the fact that many asylum seekers are detained for long periods of time. In some cases, asylum seekers have been detained for over a year. This long-term detention has been criticized by human rights groups, who argue that it is inhumane and unnecessary.

Opportunities

Despite the challenges, there are also a number of opportunities for Australia to improve its response to refugees. One opportunity is to increase the number of refugees resettled in Australia. Australia currently resettles around 13,750 refugees each year. This number could be increased to help meet the needs of refugees around the world.

Another opportunity is to improve the conditions of detention for asylum seekers. Australia could reduce the length of time that asylum seekers are detained and provide them with better access to services.

Australia's response to refugees is a complex and challenging issue. The country has a long history of providing protection to refugees, but its policies and practices have also been criticized for being harsh and inhumane. In this book, leading experts on refugee law and policy provide a comprehensive examination of Australia's response to refugees. The book explores the historical, legal, and ethical dimensions of Australia's refugee program, and provides a detailed analysis of the current challenges and opportunities facing the country in this area.

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

by John Joe Schlichtman

5 out of 5