Three pieces of legislation are expected to be voted on by the Senate this Wednesday, including the brutal deportation Bill introduced by the government in March 2024, and, if passed, will make it legal for Australian governments to inflict even more harsh punishment on refugees and people seeking asylum.
In brief, these laws will:
Make it easier for Australian governments to deport people, including paying third countries to ‘receive’ people that are forcibly removed from Australia. The laws will not prevent harm, detention or refoulement from occurring in that third country. Labor for Refugees NSW has suggested that this will enable a form of human trafficking.
Create an expanded regime of offshore warehousing and detention, for example, sending more people to Nauru. People who have been failed by the unfair fast track process and those evacuated from Nauru and PNG now living in Australia are at risk from this legislation.
Expand the Minister’s powers to overturn protection findings to virtually any refugee in Australia.
Give the Australian government and immigration officials immunity against civil claims arising from forced removal or harm suffered in third countries.
Force people to cooperate in their own deportation, or be thrown back into immigration detention if they refuse. This is contained in the Bill introduced in March 2024 and now revived.
Confiscate phones and other devices from people in immigration detention.
Reintroduce invasive surveillance and monitoring conditions, including the reimposition of curfews and ankle bracelets.
Separate people from their families and communities, preventing them from ever returning to their homes.
Urgently contact our ACT Senators – Urge them to Vote NO to this cruel legislation
It is expected that these pieces of legislation will be voted on in the Senate this Wednesday and will be supported by the Coalition. It is critical that our Senators understand the brutal impacts of the legislation they will be deciding on.
Please take a moment and, using the points above, email our ACT Senators and urge them to VOTE NO.
