Refugees: Australian Cruelty and the Alternative
The continuing consequences of Australia’s refugee policies and the alternatives to them
Refugee Action Campaign (RAC), Canberra is hosting a public meeting to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding Australia’s refugee policies. These policies have been criticized for being cruel, costly, and ineffective. Join us as we explore the consequences of these policies and discuss viable alternatives.
Event Details:
- Date: 12 March 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Copland Lecture Theatre, Kingsley St, ANU
Australian Refugee Policy: A Policy Failure
Australia’s refugee policy has been widely regarded as a failure. It has not achieved any of its stated objectives. Instead, it has incurred enormous financial costs for Australian taxpayers, been implemented contrary to fundamental rules of international law, triggered numerous legal challenges, and involved systemic cruelty towards refugees and asylum seekers.
We are honored to have three distinguished guest speakers who are renowned academics and have made significant contributions to refugee advocacy and research in Australia:
Gillian Triggs
Professor Emerita Gillian Triggs recently completed her role as UN Assistant Secretary General and Assistant High Commissioner Protection with UNHCR. She has served as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, President of the Asian Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, and Chair of the UN Independent Expert Panel on Abuse of Office and Harassment in UNAIDS. Gillian was Dean of the Faculty of Law and Challis Professor of International Law at the University of Sydney and Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. She is an international lawyer and author, awarded the inaugural Ruth Bader Ginsberg medal in 2022 and named the 2023 International Law Woman of the Year by the American Society of International Law. In 2025, she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia.
William Maley
William Maley is Emeritus Professor of Diplomacy at The Australian National University. He has been a prominent figure in refugee advocacy, receiving the AUSTCARE Paul Cullen Humanitarian Award for services to refugees. William is a lawyer, a Member of the Order of Australia, and a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Institute of International Affairs. He has authored several books on refugee issues and international relations, including “What is a Refugee?” and “Australia: The Politics of Degraded Democracy.”
John Minns
John Minns is Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations at The Australian National University. He has extensively published on development policy, labor movement dynamics, Latin American politics, and refugee politics. John is a long-term member of the Refugee Action Campaign in Canberra and has been actively involved in advocating for refugee rights.
Join us for an insightful discussion on the current state of Australia’s refugee policies and explore the alternatives that can lead to a more humane and effective approach.
