The Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group has reconvened this year, bringing together a cross-party group of Members of Parliament and Senators who are committed to building a more welcoming Australia.
Convened by parliamentarians and supported by the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), the group is co-chaired by Sarah Witty MP (ALP), Senator Paul Scarr (LNP), Senator David Shoebridge (Greens) and Allegra Spender MP (Independent), reflecting strong cross-party support for constructive engagement on refugee issues.
This year is particularly poignant, as we celebrate 75 years of the Refugee Convention, RCOA looks forward to working with the Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group in upholding the principles of the convention.
The group will focus on several key priorities, including maintaining and supporting the expansion of the humanitarian program, which has so far helped more than a million people resettle in Australia since 1947.
The group will also highlight the role of complementary pathways which allow for safe migration pathways and sit outside the capped resettlement program. Complementary pathways enable refugees to use their skills, education and family connections to build stable futures in Australia while contributing to the nation’s social and economic life. Australia has pioneered the development of complementary pathways through its leadership of the Global Taskforce on Refugee Labour Mobility, and through innovative initiatives such as the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot. This pilot has been going for several years, so it is time for it to be made permanent and for all complementary pathways to be additional to the core humanitarian intake.
The event will feature one of RCOA’s newest Refugee Ambassadors, Roman Abasy, an athlete and community advocate originally from Afghanistan. Roman represented Afghanistan in Taekwondo, winning five international medals including a bronze medal at the Asia Games. Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, he fled Afghanistan after facing threats due to his human rights and community advocacy.
With support from the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee, Roman was resettled in Sydney in 2022.
Educator, speaker and writer Abang Anade Othow will also attend the launch. A former child refugee who arrived in Australia as an unaccompanied minor through the Refugee and Humanitarian Program, Abang rebuilt her life through education and resilience.
Abang is the founder of the wellbeing framework Buckets of Hope, which uses storytelling, colour and mindfulness to support individuals and communities to move from survival to thriving.
ENDS
QUOTE ATTRIBUTED TO SENATOR PAUL SCARR
” Last year Australia welcomed its one millionth refugee.
Australia has welcomed people fleeing persecution from all over the world – people of different ethnicities, religions and backgrounds. In return, they have become part of the Australian story – contributing to our country in countless ways.
The launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group is a way to support this legacy, provide support to the organisations supporting refugees, and to draw attention to the issues facing people who have come to Australia on humanitarian pathways.”
QUOTE ATTRIBUTED TO SARAH WITTY MP
“Australia has a proud history of welcoming people who have been forced to flee their homes and giving them the chance to rebuild their lives in safety. Refugees have helped shape the Australia we know today, strengthening our communities, our economy and our national story.
The Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group brings together parliamentarians from across the political spectrum who share a commitment to a fair, compassionate and practical approach to refugee policy. By working together, we can ensure Australia continues to play its part in offering protection and opportunity to people seeking safety.”
QUOTE ATTRIBUTED TO SENATOR DAVID SHOEBRIDGE
“There has never been a more important time for the Parliament to start a national dialogue on immigration based on our shared humanity rather than manufactured division.
The heart of this national dialogue must include a flourishing, fair and welcoming multicultural Australia as the surest way to replace and defeat the attacks and scapegoating of migrants and refugees”
QUOTE ATTRIBUTED TO ALLEGRA SPENDER MP
“It’s important that the voices and stories of refugees are heard in Canberra, and that we take the time to listen with compassion and ensure our policies reflect the dignity and humanity every person deserves.
I’m honoured to co-chair the Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group and to work with colleagues across the Parliament to support people seeking safety in Australia.”
QUOTE ATTRIBUTED TO RCOA CO-CEO ADAMA KAMARA
“Welcoming one million refugees has been a truly bipartisan achievement that has transformed our nation. With continued bipartisan support, we can ensure Australia remains a world leader, with a humanitarian program that is as generous as it is responsive to the record levels of global displacement.”
