In the media
In Tuvalu
Following Australia’s introduction of a special visa for Tuvaluans whose livelihoods have been affected by climate change, Radio National’s Late Night Live hosted [audio story] Prof Jane McAdam to discuss the visa and its place in the protection system.
In the community
A Hong Kong activist and his family were granted protection in Australia. The former Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said that the government should resolve the situation of asylum seekers who have been on bridging visas since they arrived in 2012/2013. His comments were made in an Australian Story episode catching up on the Nadesalingham family in Biloela.
International
The Thai Government announced that it will grant work rights to refugees from Myanmar who have been in Thailand for many years. Bangladesh reported that global aid cuts will push Rohingya refugees to the brink. The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative celebrated the highest number of females enrolled in higher education in a single year. As the UK’s right-wing Reform political party continued its rise in the opinion polls, they committed to withdraw the UK from human rights and refugee treaties so as to enable mass deportations of asylum seekers.
In policy
Australia and Nauru agreed a $400 million resettlement plan for the group of people who were released from detention following the NZYQ High Court decision. The plan will include an annual ongoing payment of $70 million. This occurred despite orders by the UN Human Rights Council to block the removal of an Iraqi refugee to Nauru.
The Refugee Council of Australia demanded that the Australian government increase aid, diplomacy and resettlement offers to people suffering, what is now, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Radio National’s Late Night Live program featured an in-depth look at the situation in Sudan. During National Homelessness week, the Refugee Council of Australia detailed how the increasing inaccessibility of the SRSS program is exacerbating the homelessness crisis for people seeking asylum in Australia.
Amnesty International Australia published its submission to the Department of Home Affairs discussion paper on Australia’s 2025-26 Humanitarian Program. The discussion paper is available here.