Amnesty International Australia has made a submission to the Department of Home Affairs regarding Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2024-25.
Despite there being more people in need of resettlement than at any time since the Second World War, the Albanese Government has failed to deliver on the promise they made to the Australian people before the election to increase the Humanitarian Program to 27,000 places.
Australia has played an important role in resettling vulnerable refugees and in 2023 the Albanese Government did commit to an increase to 20,000 places, but we have a responsibility to be doing much more.
In its submission, Amnesty has called on the Australian Government to commit to increasing the Humanitarian Program to a combined 40,000 places, ensuring that where appropriate there is additionality for specific crises such as Gaza, with a process to respond that is underpinned by the principle of non-discrimination.
Amnesty also called for further reform to Australia’s Community Sponsorship Program so that it is in addition to Australia’s regular Humanitarian Program, among other recommendations.
