IEU - End Mandatory Detention: Structure of Humanitarian Program

The offshore component is divided into a refuge section (4,000 places) for those identified as refugees by the UNHCR in other countries, and a special humanitarian classification for those deemed by Australia to be in special need, although not necessarily refugees. The special humanitarian program and the onshore program are linked so that combined they amount to the remaining 8,000 places within the total quota of 12,000 places.

Issues:

1. The off shore program has given 50% of places to those from one country - Yugoslavia, suggesting that not all refugees have equal access to the program. Australia has consistently failed to fill its 12,000 humanitarian places.
2. The distribution of off shore grants between regions is made at the discretion of the Minister and therefore may not reflect the changing needs of refugees.
3. The total number of refugees taken has remained static for a decade, and in fact decreased since the early 1980s, despite increasing numbers of refugees world-wide. While Australia claims that it takes the second highest number of refugees per capita in the world, this figure is deceptive because it relates solely to the offshore program. When Australia's total refugee intake is compared to other OECD countries we rank 14th out of 29.
4. On shore applicants are granted protection at the expense of those in the special humanitarian program, pitting the interests of different groups against each other.
5. People given entry through the special humanitarian program are not, according the Government's own criteria, refugees, although they may be deserving of humanitarian assistance. As onshore applicants take the places of those under the Special Humanitarian program it is also misleading to suggest that they take the place of the 'most needy refugees'.

Alternatives:

1. Restructure the off shore program to ensure that all places are filled by refugees identified by the UNHCR as being in most need.
2. Enter multilateral negotiations to ensure that the international resettlement program works as effectively as possible.
3. De-couple the onshore and offshore programs so that onshore refugees are not granted visas at the expense of those coming through the special humanitarian program from overseas.
4. Make clear the qualifications necessary to enter the special humanitarian program, ensuring that all places in the off shore humanitarian program go to those in most need and that refugees currently resident in Australia have the opportunity to have relatives join them in Australia through the family reunion program.
5. Re-evaluate the total number of refugee places. Consider making the quota flexible so that it can be increased in times of humanitarian crisis (such as the recent crisis in Afghanistan).