At Vinnies we witness firsthand the benefits refugees and migrants make to the broader Australian community which is enriched by their contributions.
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Submission on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Consistent Waiting Periods for New Migrants) Bill 2021
26 July 2021 The Society opposes the proposed four-year wait for new migrants before they can access government benefits.
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Contribution to the Social Cohesion Statement roundtable
3 May 2021 The Society participated in a forum on the development of an Australian Government Social Cohesion statement. The feedback provided acknowledged that true social cohesion requires all Australians to take responsibility for it, not just new...
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Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Encouraging Self-sufficiency for Newly Arrived Migrants Bill 2018
As an organisation committed to social justice, we strongly oppose this Bill which extends waiting periods for social security payments for migrants granted permanent residency.
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Submission on Social Services Legislation Amendment (Payment Integrity) Bill 2017
By increasing waiting periods and reducing access to support payments, this Bill will erode an already fragile social safety net, contributing to inequality and disproportionately impacting on people on low incomes.
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Submission on the Australian Citizenship Amendment Bill 2017
The Government's proposed changes to citizenship are unfair, unnecessary and divisive, and we urge the Committee to recommend that this Bill be rejected.
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Joint submission on OPCAT and Civil Society
This joint submission highlights priorities to guide the implementation of the OPCAT, an international treaty to prevent human rights abuses in detention.
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Submission on Australia’s 2017-18 Refugee and Humanitarian Program
In a context of unprecedented global need, this submission calls on the Government to strengthen refugee protections, including increasing Australia's refugee intake & supporting genuine regional cooperation.
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2016-17 Refugee and Humanitarian Program - Refugee Council Annual Intake Submission
This submission provides the Society's views on Australia's refugee intake and key issues in the Humanitarian Program. It has been developed in response to consultations undertaken by the Refugee Council of Australia.
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Submission to Refugee Council on annual intake 2014
The Refugee Council of Australia invited input on its annual consultations on the future of Australia’s refugee and humanitarian program. This submission provides the Society's input to this consultation.
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Submission to the Inquiry into Children in Detention
In 2014, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s commenced a National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention. What our experience has shown us, and is borne out by a weight of evidence, is that immigration...
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Submission to the Inquiry into the Migration Amendment
The Society is strongly opposed to these amendments. They remove a range of legislated human rights currently held by asylum seekers who risk significant harm if they are sent to another country.
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Submission to the Refugee Council on annual intake
The Refugee Council of Australia invited input on its annual consultations on the future of Australia’s refugee and humanitarian program. Many St Vincent de Paul Society members have attended the Council’s...
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Submission on Australia's Humanitarian Program: 2013-14
Australia’s Humanitarian Program plays an important role in the resettlement of refugees. The Society strongly supports the recent increase in the number of humanitarian entrant visas from 13,750 to 20,000 per...
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Submission on Migration (Regional Processing) legislation
The most pressing human rights implication of this legislation is that it is causing human suffering, both physical and psychological. This suffering creates a moral imperative to oppose mandatory indefinite immigration...
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Submission on Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals Bill
Submission on the Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Bill The Committee Secretary Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has invited the National Council of the Society to...
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Discussion paper on Community Refugee Sponsorship Program
On 8 May 2012, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced the government would be seeking the community’s views on a private sponsorship pilot program by way of a discussion paper. The National Council of...
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Submission to the Australian Refugee Rights Alliance
Submission to the Australian Refugee Rights Alliance on current issues of concern to refugee populations On 29 March 2012, the Refugee Council of Australia sought submissions from its members and supporters on current...
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Submission to DIAC: Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2012-13
The Society witnesses the benefits of Australia’s Humanitarian Program to those needing long‐term protection and to the broader Australian community which is enriched by the contributions, knowledge and culture of...