Dear friends
You will have seen updates from us over the past week about the migration changes the Albanese Government is considering and our concerns about what they could mean for people seeking asylum.
As part of our response, more than 160 organisations and groups have now signed a joint letter calling on the Government not to proceed with changes that would take away work rights, weaken appeal rights or make it harder for families to stay together.
This morning, we publicly launched the letter and issued a media release sounding the alarm about what these changes could mean for people seeking asylum and the organisations and communities that support them.
You can read and share the media release here:
More than 160 organisations sound the alarm on proposed migration changes
Now is the time to turn up the pressure.
After weeks of uncertainty, the Financial Review is reporting that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is expected to announce Labor’s proposed migration changes this week. That means we could have only days left to influence what the Government ultimately decides to do.
There are signs that pressure is having an impact, but we have not won yet. We need to work together now to stop the worst of these changes from being implemented.
Whether or not your organisation was able to sign the joint letter, there are two important things you can do right now:
- Contact Labor MPs and Senators. If your organisation has relationships with MPs, Ministers, advisers or Labor offices, please use them now. Call, email or request a meeting. Make clear your opposition to removing work rights and weakening appeal rights, and explain what these changes would mean for the people and communities you work with.
- Help build public pressure. Please share the joint letter and media release across your social media channels and encourage your networks to speak up. We’ve attached unbranded social media tiles that any organisation is welcome to use and share through your own channels.
More than 160 organisations coming together has already demonstrated the breadth of concern about the changes being considered. Now we need to make sure the Albanese Government hears that message everywhere.
The more of us speaking up at the same time, both publicly and directly to the Albanese Government, the stronger that message will be.
Thank you for everything you can do over the coming days.
Please feel free to reach out if there is anything else the ASRC can do to support your advocacy.
Talk soon
Ogy
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Ogy Simic (he/him)
Head of Refugee Leadership, Advocacy and Communication
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
214 – 218 Nicholson St, Footscray, VIC 3011
Wurundjeri Country
Mobile: 0402 651 002
Email: ogy.s@asrc.org.au
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