Amnesty International’s Refugee Advisory Group has today written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, welcoming recently announced changes to Australia’s Refugee Support Program.
The improvements announced at the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) will significantly lower the exorbitant cost and bureaucratic burden of the existing scheme and allow more refugees to be sponsored by Australians wanting to welcome them into their communities.
While these changes are long overdue, Amnesty’s Refugee Advisory Group called on the Prime Minister to fully harness the community generosity that can help refugees, and ensure Australia’s private sponsorship program is in addition to the existing humanitarian intake.
