Human rights, refugee and migrant organisations have urged the Albanese government to abandon any plans to strip work rights from people seeking asylum, warning reported changes to Australia’s migration system would deepen hardship without addressing the country’s housing or cost-of-living pressures.
The calls came after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke postponed a National Press Club address at which he had been expected to outline a package of migration reforms. ABC reporting suggested the proposals under consideration included tighter work rights for asylum seekers, changes to family visa pathways and other measures affecting Australia’s migration program. The government has not confirmed the reported measures or explained why the speech was delayed.
The organisations said the reported package reflected growing political pressure on Labor to respond to concerns about migration, but argued it risked adopting policies long advocated by One Nation rather than addressing the underlying causes of Australia’s housing shortage.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre deputy chief executive Jana Favero said the delay gave the government an opportunity to reconsider the reported proposals.
“The postponement of Minister Burke’s speech gives the Albanese Government an opportunity to step back from this dangerous path and rule out any further restrictions on the rights of people seeking asylum,” Ms Favero said.
She said it was “deeply concerning to see our Government pandering to One Nation’s politics of hate and legitimising division, when our community is expecting true leadership and unity. We need leaders to stand up for what they believe in, keep Australians together and make sure everyone has a fair go.”
Ms Favero argued the migration debate had become disconnected from the issues affecting households, saying, “Scapegoating migrants won’t build a home, lower a grocery bill or help a family pay the rent. Australia deserves better than politicians looking for someone to blame instead of delivering real solutions.”
She added: “If these reports are true, this capitulation to the politics of hate is an outrageous betrayal, especially coming from the party who ended the white Australia policy.”
The organisations warned that removing work rights from people seeking asylum would force many into poverty or dependence on charities while they waited for their claims to be processed. They said the government should instead ensure applicants could support themselves and their families, while maintaining access to independent review of protection decisions.
Refugee Advice and Casework Service centre director and principal solicitor Sarah Dale said the reported changes would have “catastrophic effects” on people supported by the organisation.
“Everyone deserves safety, security and dignity at work. Stripping work rights away from people seeking asylum will force them into the black economy of unsafe, precarious and exploitative work. The conditions of all workers suffer when bosses are allowed to treat workers differently”
“Deliberately denying people agency in their own lives, stripping the right to work and leaving them with no option but to rely on charity is deliberate indignity,” Ms Dale said.
“Our migration program must be robust, but it also must be fair and compassionate. Focusing on people seeking asylum and those separated from their families, having their rights curtailed, is bad policy and senselessly cruel.”
Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sanmati Verma said removing work rights would leave vulnerable people exposed to exploitation.
“Everyone deserves safety, security and dignity at work. Stripping work rights away from people seeking asylum will force them into the black economy of unsafe, precarious and exploitative work. The conditions of all workers suffer when bosses are allowed to treat workers differently,” Ms Verma said.
She said governments should focus on improving living standards rather than targeting migrants, adding: “When governments attack migrants, they are sending a message to everyone in the country – that they have no serious plan to make life better for any of us, and they are looking for distractions. We deserve better from our leaders.”
Refugee Council of Australia advocacy coordinator Dr Graham Thom said the reported proposals risked creating further social and economic problems rather than solving existing ones.
“Removing people’s rights is a formula to create problems rather than provide solutions. When looking to address issues, the Government should be guided by Labor policy, not One Nation policy,” Dr Thom said.
“The Government’s claims of its commitment to eradicating modern slavery and addressing worker exploitation appear disingenuous, as these changes could directly contribute to expanding exploitation and suffering. The flow on effects and even further unintended consequences of these proposed changes will be a blight on this Government and on Australia.”
Burke has not confirmed the reported measures, and no new date has been announced for his National Press Club address. The speech is expected to clarify whether the government intends to proceed with changes to asylum seeker work rights, family visa arrangements and other parts of Australia’s migration system.
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