<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/nearly-20000-refugees-to-get-same-rights-as-other-permanent-residents-after-being-kept-in-limbo>
"Nearly 20,000 refugees will soon be able to apply for permanency, giving them
the same rights as permanent residents after being kept “in limbo”.
The changes – hailed by refugee advocates as “a victory of unity and compassion
over division and fear” – were part of a Labor election promise. They mean that
about 19,000 temporary protection and safe haven enterprise visa holders will
be eligible to apply for a permanent resolution of status visa.
That will give them the same rights as all other permanent residents, including
social security payments, access to the national disability insurance scheme
and higher education loans, as well as providing a pathway to Australian
citizenship, which would allow holders to sponsor family to come to Australia.
The immigration minister, Andrew Giles, said it “made no sense” to keep
thousands of people “in limbo” due to the policies of the previous Coalition
government.
People holding temporary protection visas and safe haven enterprise visas
“work, pay taxes, start businesses, employ Australians and build lives in our
communities – often in rural and regional areas”, he said. “Without permanent
visas, however, they’ve been unable to get a loan to buy a house, build their
businesses or pursue further education.
“It makes no sense – economically or socially – to keep them in limbo.”
Only those who entered Australia before Operation Sovereign Borders started in
2013 who hold or have applied for a protection visa are eligible."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
