Iranian and Tamil refugees are making a stand, and have vowed not to let up until the Albanese Government and new Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs, Tony Burke, grants them permanent residency after nearly 12 years of languishing on temporary protection visas (TPVs).
Despite the previous Minister for Immigration, Andrew Giles, granting permanent visas to some 19,000 temporary protection visa (TPV) holders who had arrived under the previous government, some 12,000 refugees in the "legacy caseload" remain stuck on TPVs. This is despite the Labor Party's platform being to abolish the TPV and the so-called "Fast Track" system.
It's noted that the Labor Party made little to no public commitment towards such a policy during the 2022 Federal Election campaign; and that Andrew Giles acted to grant permanency to 19,000 people in late 2022 after his electorate office was targeted and vandalised by refugee rights activists on several occasions.
It's further noted that Tony Burke was the Immigration Minister when reappointed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on 19 July 2013, announced that people who arrive by boat wouldn't be allowed to settle in Australia - a position upheld by successive federal governments until present.
Dozens of Iranian and Tamil refugees have been camping outside the Department of Home Affairs offices in Melbourne's Docklands for several weeks, demanding answers. Before now-former Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil was dumped from her position in a cabinet reshuffle, they were camping outside of her electorate office in Oakleigh for several weeks.
On Monday, hundreds of Tamils and Iranain refugees rallied outside of the offices of the Victorian Labor Party, also in Docklands, before marching back to the Department of Home Affairs.
Hundreds of Tamil and Iranian refugees gather outside of the Victorian Labor Party offices, holding signs such as "We deserve compassion, 12 years is too long" and "Has Labor got a heart?" Photo: Matt Hrkac
Hundreds of Tamil and Iranian refugees rally to demand that the Albanese Government grant them permanent protection. Photo: Matt Hrkac
Hundreds of Tamil and Iranian refugees rally to demand that the Albanese Government grant them permanent protection. Photo: Matt Hrkac
"12 years in limbo. Permanent protection please, Tony Burke". Photo: Matt Hrkac
Hundreds of Tamil and Iranian refugees rally to demand that the Albanese Government grant them permanent protection. Photo: Matt Hrkac
Hundreds of Tamil and Iranian refugees rally to demand that the Albanese Government grant them permanent protection. Photo: Matt Hrkac
Outside of the Department of Home Affairs on Bourke St, Docklands. Photo: Matt Hrkac
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