The following is an important analysis of the asylum seekers in Australia which has been provided by Grant Mitchell, Project Co-ordinator of the Asylum Seekers Project at the Hotham Mission in North Melbourne.
The report is timely as we learn
that the Australian Minister for Immigration, after a visit to Sweden, could be
considering a more humane approach to the treatment of asylum seekers. Our
intervention at this time could make a difference.
Pax Christi Australia welcomes the prospect of children being released from detention centres mothers with children being allowed refuge in the community. We request that more pressure be put on the government to go further and include whole families in a more humane approach.
Background:
A little over 9000 people sought asylum in Australia during the year 2000, arriving both by plane and by boat, some with documents, others without, some with their families, others alone, but all looking for safety and for the hope of starting a new life.
In Australia, the refugees and humanitarian programme is linked by an off-shore and on-shore component. A limited number of asylum seekers waiting in refugee camps off-shore are accepted each year as humanitarian entrants, while on-shore asylum seekers flee by whatever means directly into Australia. The creation of 2 separate categories is somewhat unique to Australia, with approximately 1000 places allocated to off-shore applicants, and just under 2000 to onshore applicants. This has caused a lot of negativity and resentment towards on-shore applicants, who are considered to be taking places away from off-shore applicants, and making the process disorderly. It is important to note that there is nothing “orderly” about the refugee experience, being forced to flee your country and seek asylum.
Those who arrive without documents are placed in detention centres until their right to asylum has been recognised. The process of approval ranging from 3 months to 3 years in duration. At a huge cost to both tax-payers and asylums seekers, the nature of Australia’s mandatory detention policy has been constantly under criticism by non-government organisations, concerned individuals and churches. A particular focus of concern is the welfare of children born and living in detention and those detained for extended periods. Since October 1999, those who have been detained in Australia, and subsequently found to be refugees according to the UN Convention, are only granted a restricted 3 year temporary protection visa and are not eligible for a range of services offered to humanitarian entrants and are unable to bring their immediate families to Australia.
Those who arrive with legitimate documents and are ‘immigration cleared’ are released into the community. This group of ‘on-shore asylum seekers’ fall primarily into two groups: those granted work visas and those who aren’t, usually because they have missed the 45-day rule to apply for asylum. Asylums Seekers in the community are not eligible to any government funding, welfare payments, and education or housing subsidy. They are completely at the mercy of charities and welfare agencies, often church-based. Those with work rights may be lucky to find a job, if they have sufficient English skills, however no English training is provided to them. Those without a work permit must present themselves to the Red Cross, which is the primary body to deal with all issues facing asylum seekers. Most work is by referral, to send asylum seekers to places to find food, to look for temporary shelter, for medical help etc. Staff at migrant Resource Centres and DIMA funded settlement workers in Community Health Centres, are told specially by the Department of Immigration that they are not permitted to assist Asylum seekers in any way if approached.
Those without a work visa are not covered by Medicare and are only able to get medical attention from doctors willing to provide their services free, which becomes particularly difficult if the asylum seeker is critically ill and requires surgery. Asylum seekers who have suffered from torture and trauma are eligible to initial counselling at the Foundation for the Survivors of Torture, but there is presently a waiting list of almost 6 months.
An on-shore asylum seekers will often have their initial decision from MIMA within 6 months, because after that time they may have access to Red Cross ‘Asylum Seekers Assistance Scheme’ payments. Very few asylum seekers are entitled to this payment as decisions are usually made prior to their eligibility to ASAS, though occasionally some exceptions are made for the very sick or elderly. The Red Cross is only funded by DIMA to assist asylum seekers who are eligible for ASAS. Ineligible clients, who have greater needs, are helped only minimally and advised to approach community or church based welfare agencies.
If they choose to appeal further they may approach the Federal Court. If Legal Aid chooses to take on their case, albeit infrequently, their right to work, if they had it, is removed. Otherwise, an asylum seeker may make an appeal directly to the Minister of Immigration, by which time, asylum seekers generally have no rights and often have harsh conditions placed on their bridging visas, stipulating they may not study, that they may not leave the city where they are residing without permission and that they must inform DIMA on a weekly basis of their whereabouts.
In general the rights and entitlements of asylum seekers in Australia are almost non-existent. According to Sherron Dunbar of the Refugee Council of Australia the only fundamental right of asylum seekers in Australia is under the Transport Act, namely if they are in an accident involving public transport, which covers all people, regardless of residency.
Greatest Needs:
So in light of the above, what are the needs of asylum seekers in Australia today?
◙ ACCOMODATION: Probably the greatest need for asylum seekers in Australia is accommodation, with many asylum seekers forced into homelessness, onto mosque floors or into unsanitary or unhealthy environments. The Red Cross and a limited number of other places offer accommodation for asylum seekers while the remainder often spend a week or so in one place before moving somewhere else.
◙ FOOD: Another major issue for asylums seekers is food. The search for food is almost a full-time endeavour. Many asylum seekers will travel long distances on a daily basis carrying a few tins and essentials they are offered from over-stretched welfare agencies.
◙ HEALTH WORRIES: Asylum Seekers are more prone to suffer from health conditions than many other segments of the community, with many constantly falling ill and not recovering for long periods. This often is due to bad eating habits, malnourishment, depression, or the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Addressing the health needs of asylum seekers is particularly trying as without Medicare their options become extremely limited and subject to the generosity of health professionals.
◙ MANY MORE: Other areas of need include finding schools and teachers that will take in asylum seekers without a fee, arranging for free legal advice, finding clothing, particularly in the winter, and providing personal support and encouragement.
What we can do?
Boredom and isolation are major problems for asylum seekers, as they literally sit and wait for a decision about their lives and their future.
The Asylum Seeker Project has established a Linkup programme which aims to address this need by linking asylum seekers with families and individuals for social support and a good meal. With this programme asylum seekers are helped in the following ways:
◙ to gain important contacts in the community, particularly in establishing a supportive network
◙ to combat isolation
◙ to help improve their English and increase their understanding of Australian society
◙ to provide an outlet for concerned individuals and families who want to contribute too the life of an asylum seeker beyond giving a donation