Our next L4R meeting will be held on Wednesday 29 July at 6.30pm on Zoom

NOTE THAT OUR JULY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ONE WEEK LATER THAN USUAL.

Anyone who supports our L4R goals is welcome to attend.

Minutes of our last meeting on the 24 June 2026 follow L4RNSW-ACTMinMtg24Jun26 

NSW Labor Conference – what happened? Brief Background After conducting a campaign for the NSW Labor Conference, to gain support for our refugee motion on homelessness, we sent our motion to the NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson early this year.  L4R then met with the Minister on the 31 March 2026.  Shortly afterwards, a wording was agreed to by both the Minister and L4R. However, a few months later, we become aware that the Minister had changed her mind and we discovered that our motion, together with its Background, which appeared in the Policy Committee’s Report under the Chapter “Social Justice and Legal Affairs”, was only being supported in principle, instead of being supported outright.  We next attempted a compromise on words that would be acceptable to both parties.   The Minister’s Deputy Chief of Staff then came back with a significant one word change to our motion which was a proposal to delete the word “shelter” and replace it with “support”.  Not happy with this change, our Office Bearers decided to leave the final decision to our members.  After a discussion at our June meeting, members unanimously decided to reject this change.  It was felt that “support” could mean anything or nothing, so we may as well leave our motion in its original form. To recap, the motion (without the Background) follows: Homelessness Support Should be Based on Need and not Visa Status – That this NSW Labor Conference recognises the right to housing is a human right. Humans include people in our community without visas and we recognise that the Commonwealth controls who gets visas and when, as well as the conditions on those visas, including withholding the right to work.  In these circumstances, to ensure homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring in NSW, we call on the NSW Labor Government to include accessible, safe, affordable shelter for non-residents and asylum seekers in the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035.  The State Conference 4/5 July, 2026 On the first morning of the Conference, a group of L4R members met at 7.15am and handed out our L4R Leaflet, which contained our Conference motion, to Delegates as they queued up at the entrance to the Sydney Town Hall, waiting for the doors to open. The Conference agenda listed the “Social Justice and Legal Affairs” Chapter as the 2nd last item on day two.  We were aware that Conference usually finishes early and consequently, Delegates would never get around to debating this Chapter. There was an attempt by the Left early on the first day of Conference, to force this important Chapter to be debated on Saturday morning instead, but the motion was lost, even though Delegates’ voices sounded quite even on the vote from the floor.  A call by L4R Secretary Nizza Siano, for a count, was ignored by the Chair. So as predicted, that Chapter was not debated at all and our refugee motion on homelessness slipped through Conference as only being “supported in principle” which means the NSW Government’s housing policy remains unchanged and our motion was not adopted.  Thank YouI would like to thank those dedicated L4R members who showed up on an early cold winter’s morning, to hand out our leaflet and kept handing them out to Observers inside the Town Hall. Thanks also goes to those members who took our motion to their branch meetings and had their members support it.  There were a substantial number of branches who supported our L4R motion. We did the best we could under a very toxic anti-immigration, anti-refugee environment but would have had no chance at all were it not for the support we received from our members.    L4R Fringe Event”Housing is a Human Right” Fringe Event took place on Saturday 4 July at 2pm. It was scheduled at the same time as the Chapter on “Prosperity and Fairness at Work” was being debated by delegates upstairs in the main hall. That Chapter was attended by delegates from the trade union movement and may have been the reason that our Fringe Event was not well attended.  About 50 people turned up.  Our three guest speakers were very eloquent.  They were Elijah Buol OAM, the CEO from the Asylum Seekers Centre, Shaheen Whyte, Snr Policy Officer of the Refugee Council of Australia and Nadia, a person seeking asylum with lived experience of housing insecurity.  L4R’s Co-Convenor, Lauren Honcope, did an excellent job of moderating the event and asked each guest a series of questions.  It ended with a Q&A from the audience.

L4R Fringe Event L-R Sabrin Farooqui, Lauren Honcope, Elijah Buol, Nadia, Shaheen Whyte, Nizza Siano. ALP National Conference 23/24/25 July 2026 Our L4R national group, the National Co-ordinating Committee (NCC), worked hard throughout the year, examining each clause of Chapter 7 of the Draft Platform 2026.  This Chapter entitled “Australia’s Place in a Changing World”, will be debated and voted on by Delegates at the forthcoming National Conference on Saturday morning of the 25 July, the last day of Conference. We took every opportunity available, to make submissions beforehand, to the National Policy Forum (NPF), on those clauses in the Draft Platform that impacted on refugees and people seeking asylum.  Each time the Committee met, our supporters on the Committee, advocated for our refugee amendments but each time, these amendments were rejected by members of the NPF. We have now reached the stage where we will advocate at the forthcoming National Conference, for reforms to refugee policy, with a final smaller list of amendments as well as advocating for a Special Resolution that our NCC developed over some months.  Our Special Resolution focuses on Australia’s humanitarian refugee intake and follows:  Recommended Special Resolution by the 2026 ALP National Conference on Australia’s Humanitarian Refugee Intake (from Labor for Refugees)   The 2026 ALP National Conference celebrates Australia as a successful multicultural nation built on migration programs. National Conference specifically celebrates the contribution to the nation of the now one million people who have come to Australia since World War 2 as refugees.  Conference notes the ever-increasing global numbers of displaced persons due to conflict and persecution but also acknowledges the economic challenges for Labor governments in maintaining a responsible refugee intake. Conference again reaffirms the aspiration of Federal Labor to achieve a humanitarian refugee intake of 27,000 places per year from overseas locations in combination with a complementary resettlement intake pathway including community sponsorship of 10,000 places per year.     Conference congratulates the Albanese Labor Government since its election in 2022 for lifting the humanitarian refugee intake from 13,500 places per year under the previous Coalition Government to 20,000 places per year under Labor. The 2026 National Conference calls on the Albanese Labor government to maintain the humanitarian refugee intake numbers at 20,000 places per year whilst continuing to progress towards achieving 27,000 places per year.  We hope that we’ll have the support of Conference Delegates for our amendments to the Draft Platform and our Special Resolution.  Labor for Refugees will be promoting our Special Resolution at the Conference by handing out our leaflet, which includes our Resolution.  The Leaflet can be viewed at L4RNatConfLeaflet2026 Family Reunions On the 25 June last, we wrote to both the Minister for Finance and Women Senator Katy Gallagher and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Tony Burke, asking that they remove the cost burden for families in the form of fee waivers for visa applications for partners and their dependents.  In 2023, we had written to Senator Gallagher about this very issue, but received no response.   In our letter, we argued that introducing visa application charge concessions, will make it more affordable for people to reunite with their partners and/or children.  We submitted a number of other suggestions that would address the visa processing challenges facing them.  Our letter can be viewed at L4RFamReunions25Jun26  I hope to see you at our next meeting on 29 July when we will report to you on the National Conference.  RegardsNizza Siano Secretary L4R NSW email:  contact@labor4refugees.com

Refugees: Out of Sight … (but not) Out of Mind – Australia’s Offshore ‘Processing’ ONLINE FORUM – Tuesday 21 July 2026, 7.30pm AEST Zoom link Click here Hosted by the Australian Refugee Action Network (ARAN), the forum will shine a spotlight on:The ongoing harm caused by Australia’s offshore ‘processing’ regime and resistance in the face of cruelty Key critiques of Australia’s offshore regime and ‘externalisation’ of our responsibilities to people seeking asylum Alternative approaches and discussion on effective activism and advocacy.Speakers  Laura Johns – Associate Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre Sr Jane Keogh – Manus Lives Matter  Senator David Shoebridge – Greens senator and member of Senate Committee 9 July 2026, marks 13 years since then PM, Kevin Rudd, took Australia’s treatment of people seeking asylum to a new moral low, ruling that anyone arriving by boat from July 2013 would never settle in Australia. This decision entrenched Australia’s use of third countries to site its offshore immigration ‘processing’, this policy regime dates back further to 2001 under John Howard. However, under Howard’s laws, people assessed offshore and found to be refugees were still able to settle in Australia, but Rudd’s ruling removed this possibility for those arriving after 19 July 2013, irrespective of their refugee status.ARAN – Australian Refugee Action Network  Website FacebookIf you need more information email austrefugeenetwork@gmail.comPlan to join this important discussion – and share with others

Renew your membership Renew here

Labor for Refugees (L4R) is a group of party members and trade unionists, formed in 2001, to advocate for progressive reforms to the Labor Party’s policies on refugees and people seeking asylum. We believe Australia must uphold humane, just, and effective policies for those who seek refuge.

L4R Branches exist in Queensland, NSW – ACT and Victoria. There are many hundreds of individual ALP Members who have committed to support our aims and many local Branches in each State who have pledged support. Our influence is evident in improvements to Labor’s National and State Platforms. 

 HUMANITARIAN REFUGEE INTAKE – PROPOSED MOTION BY LABOR FOR REFUGEES

The 2026 ALP National Conference celebrates Australia as a successful multicultural nation built on migration programs.

National Conference specifically celebrates the contribution to the nation of the now one million people who have come to Australia since World War 2 as refugees.  

Conference notes the ever-increasing global numbers of displaced persons due to conflict and persecution but also acknowledges the economic challenges for Labor governments in maintaining a responsible refugee intake. 

Conference again reaffirms the aspiration of Federal Labor to achieve a humanitarian refugee intake of 27,000 places per year from overseas locations in combination with a complementary resettlement intake pathway including community sponsorship of 10,000 places per year.    

Conference congratulates the Albanese Labor Government since its election in 2022 for lifting the humanitarian refugee intake from 13,500 places per year under the previous Coalition Government to 20,000 places per year under Labor.

The 2026 National Conference calls on the Albanese Labor government to maintain the humanitarian refugee intake numbers at 20,000 places per year whilst continuing to progress towards achieving 27,000 places per year.

THE ALBANESE GOVERMENT’S RECORD

POLICY REFORMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 

The most significant achievement of the Government has been the provision of permanent residency to individuals who were previously languishing in crippling uncertainty under Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs). Following L4R’s advocacy, the government offered permanency to people in these groups. Approximately 25,000 people who held TPVs or SHEVs have been, or will soon be, granted permanent residency. 

Similarly, since the second half of 2025, Federal Labor has been offering a pathway to permanent settlement to around 7,000 people treated unjustly under the former LNP government’s so-called ‘Fast Track’ visa application processing, which kept many vulnerable people in indefinite bridging visa limbo. L4R is hopeful that people in this group will have settlement certainty by early next year.

CONTINUING PROBLEMS

• PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY IN NAURU AND MANUS 

The Government continues to refuse to permanently settle 800 or so individuals and families who were sent to Manus (PNG) and Nauru from 19 July 2013 but are now in Australia (so-called ‘Transitory Persons’). Some are medical evacuees and others were brought by Federal Labor to Australia. All require permanent settlement. 

• HIGH COURT RULINGS, INDEFINITE DETENTION AND THE DEPORTATION BILL

The Labor Government’s approach to detention and deportation has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of recent High Court rulings. The Albanese Government rushed three unsatisfactory laws through Parliament to give itself new powers to force people to cooperate with deportation, to enter paid arrangements with third countries to accept people deported from Australia, and to limit people’s rights in immigration detention.  

• THE SITUATION IN NAURU NOW

L4R is deeply concerned by Federal Labor’s two arrangements with the Republic of Nauru. The first is revival of Nauru as a place to process people seeking asylum in Australia who arrived at the sea border without a visa. As of 30 September 2025 there were, 91 asylum seekers in Nauru, according to the Refugee Council of Australia, using Home Affairs’ reports. Uncertainty remains around the future of refugees and people seeking asylum on Nauru.

The second arrangement with Nauru, set up in September 2025, allows the deportation to Nauru of non-citizens with adverse character assessments, who cannot be deported to their countries of origin, including refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. 

Both arrangements have been criticised by the UNHCR and Australian Human Rights organisations.  

• REFUGEES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG)

The situation in PNG is equally troubling. L4R understands that, as at June 2026, there are 56 refugees living in Port Moresby (24 men who were originally sent to Manus Island from 19 July 2013, together with twelve partners and 20 children). Of those 8–10 are known to be so mentally unwell that they cannot engage with any settlement processes. An Australia-based small private charity has supported this group for many years, through financial aid and visits.  Federal Labor did provide some support for them until April 2026 but will not re-settle any of them in Australia (the 2013 Rudd rule). Some await resettlement in New Zealand and Canada, which may happen but is very slow. 

The Australian Government maintains that the future of these refugees now lies with PNG authorities and the UNHCR, which works to provide permanent settlement in other countries. Given the USA de-funding of UNHCR and the increasing trend across first world countries to reduce refugee settlement, third country settlement looks increasingly unlikely. L4R has repeatedly expressed its concerns to the Federal Government, particularly regarding vulnerable individuals who are physically and/or mentally unwell who cannot engage with the UNHCR process and need to be medivaced to Australia. Labor for Refugees continues to press for urgent humanitarian solutions.

• WORK AND STUDY RIGHTS

Labor’s 2023 National Platform affirms that people on bridging visas should have work and study rights while their asylum applications are processed.  In practice many continue to encounter barriers to employment, education, housing and healthcare. Over the years, successive Federal Governments have reduced Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) funding and eligibility and removed many non-residents’ work rights and access to Medicare. Consequently, non-residents are locked out of work and mainstream social services and there is no safety net in place to prevent destitution and homelessness. Charities and frontline asylum services are left to fill the gap. These services are stretched beyond capacity and rely heavily on donations and community goodwill. RCOA noted that in the May 2026 Budget a planned reduction in the Federal SRSS funding allocation did not proceed and that for 2026-27, the actual funding spent on SRSS in 2025-26 would continue. 

THE PATH FORWARD

The Albanese Government has taken important steps toward a more humane and just refugee policy, but the journey is far from complete. The plight of refugees and asylum seekers—whether stranded offshore, mired in bureaucratic delays, or struggling to access essential services—demands continued vigilance and advocacy. L4R remains committed to holding the government accountable and ensuring that Australia meets its obligations to the world’s most vulnerable people, upholds its international commitments and builds a society rooted in fairness, dignity and hope for all who seek safety on its shore.

Key priorities moving forward include:

• Securing permanent and humane solutions for those Australia sent to Nauru after May 2022 and still in Nauru, and those Australians sent to PNG (Manus) after 19 July 2013 and still in PNG, most urgently the physically and mentally unwell. 
• Securing safe permanent settlement of refugees currently in Indonesia who arrived over 10 years ago.
• Facilitating family re-unions wherever possible in cases where people seeking asylum and refugees already have close relatives in Australia.
• Providing pathways to permanency for all refugees living in Australia, including former detainees in Manus and Nauru, on indefinite bridging visas.
• Restoring subsistence income support and expanding access to work, healthcare, education and housing, including for new arrivals.
• Safeguarding legal rights and opposing any legislative measures that risk arbitrary or indefinite detention and forced deportations.
• Increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake.
• Ensuring robust consultation with refugee communities, advocacy groups and stakeholders in the ongoing reform of refugee policy.

Authorised by Nizza Siano, National Secretary, Labor for Refugees.

For further information, to purchase merchandise or join Labor for Refugees email contact@labor4refugees.com

1. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/operation-sovereign-borders-offshore-detention-statistics/3/
2. Please contact L4R if you are interested in donating to this group