THE REFUGEE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (RCOA)
The Refugee Council of Australia is a non-profit peak organisation.
It provides information on and advocacy for refugees and humanitarian entrants
in Australia on behalf of its 125 organisational members and many individual members.
It is not a part of the Australian Government. For more information on
our organisation, see the RCOA brochure
or check our
latest annual report.
CONSULTATIONS ON AUSTRALIA'S REFUGEE PROGRAM
Each year, the Refugee Council conducts community consultations
across Australia on issues relating to Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program.
The views from these consultations are drawn together into a submission to the
Minister for immigration and Citizenship, outlining issues the Australian Government
should consider in developing the coming fiscal year's Refugee and Humanitarian
Program. Consultations for the 2009-10 submission will be held in October and
November 2008. For more information on the consultation process, visit our Consultations
page.
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE
* Immigration Minister at RCOA AGM - Minister
for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, was guest speaker at RCOA's
Annual General Meeting and Forum at Parramatta Town Hall, NSW, on 17 November
2008. Senator Evans discussed national refugee policy one year after the election
of the Rudd Government. For a copy of the Minister's speech, click here.
* The latest news from RCOA - Our November
email bulletin and our Winter 2008 newsletter are now on our website. See our
newsletters page.
* New high-security detention centre unsuitable for
asylum seekers - Following a visit to the new $400 million immigration
detention centre on Christmas Island, RCOA and eight other NGOs have outlined
their concerns about the new facility. See our Media
Releases page.
* Detention changes help to restore
Australia's human rights record - RCOA's response to the Federal Government’s
announcement that it will work to restrict indefinite and non-reviewable immigration
detention. See our Media
Releases page.
* Who bears the cost of Australia's Special Humanitarian Program?
- With the support of the Reichstein Foundation, RCOA has released a new
report investigating the burden new Special Humanitarian Program entrants
bear in repaying the costs of their travel to Australia.
* Fictitious 'dole payments plan for illegal immigrants' - In
June, Brisbane's Courier Mail published fanciful claims that the Australian Government
is considering a plan to give illegal immigrants the dole. No apology or retraction
has yet been published, despite exposure on ABC-TV's Media Watch. See our Media
Blunders page.
* Do refugees receive more than aged pensioners?
- An email being circulated widely claims refugees in Australia receive higher
social security benefits than aged pensioners. For the truth, click here.
* RCOA's summary of the 2008-09 Federal Budget examines the
Australian Government's funding priorities related to refugee policy. This summary,
on our Current Issues page, can be downloaded here.
* Refugee Week 2009 - Each year, RCOA coordinates
and promotes Refugee Week in Australia, with the active support and involvement
of organisations across the country. Refugee Week 2009 will be held from June
14 to 20. For more information about Refugee Week, including activities held in
2008, click here.
* Useful links - For links to the websites
of RCOA's organisational members and other sites of interest, see our Links
page.
CONTACT US
Refugee Council of Australia - Head Office
Suite 4A6, 410 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Tel: 02 9211 9333
Fax: 02 9211 9288
Email: info@refugeecouncil.org.au
Refugee Council of Australia - Victorian Office
81-85 Barry Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Tel: 03 9348 2245
Fax: 03 9342 9799
Email: melbourne@refugeecouncil.org.au
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