Remembering the past could be today’s best refugee policy

Refugee Week 16-22 June 2025 - ‘Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community’

The way the Australian Government treated people seeking safe asylum in the 1970s and 1980s could be a better model than many of the practices it follows today, according to Mark Gaetani, the National President of St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.

The Refugee Council of Australia’s theme for Refugee Week 2025 has a focus on the benefits of diversity in our community.

In April, the Council marked the 50^th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, which saw nearly three million people fleeing Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos over the next two decades, including large numbers escaping by boat.

Australia played a key rescue role, settling over 140,000 refugees, with a key component being the substantial involvement of community organisations.

‘Working with other agencies, St Vincent de Paul Society made an amazing contribution, helping to house and support some 10,000 people across the country over about 15 years,’ Mr Gaetani said.

The Refugee Council noted that this effective community effort prompted the then-Fraser Government to begin a planned annual Refugee and Humanitarian Program and a range of new supports.

In reflecting on that situation, Mr Gaetani noted the continuing success of Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program but noted that because of the USA’s suspension of settling refugees sponsored by the United Nations, Australia should do more to help alleviate today’s crisis.

‘One improvement would be to accept additional people into Australia through greater use of existing community support programs,’ he said.

‘Another would be to reform our family reunion program, so that refugees already here could more easily bring their families to Australia and all start to re-build constructive lives together.’

Mr Gaetani highlighted Australia’s continuing mistreatment of thousands of people who fled by boat to Australia more than a decade ago and still have no path to safe, permanent settlement, with many living in destitution.

‘The first Albanese Government made a start in resolving these cases. It’s now time to finish the job. In the interests of human dignity, these folk must be found safe, permanent settlement with a degree of urgency. Meanwhile, they should also receive proper support as members of the Australian community,’ Mr Gaetani said.

‘The Society strongly agrees with the words of Paul Power, CEO of the Refugee Council, that we honour Australia’s generous response in the 70s and 80s, and must apply the same vision and compassion to people seeking safety today.’

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia consists of 45,000 members and volunteers who operate on the ground through over 1,000 groups located in local communities across the country.

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