Everyone deserves to live in safety with their families, and to have a place to call home.
But around 700 people who have lived in the Australian community for years still don’t have the right to stay here permanently. They survived offshore detention in Nauru and Papua New Guinea, but under our migration laws, they are classified as ‘transitory persons’ and are not allowed to apply for any permanent visa.
They currently live here on insecure, short-term visas, but there is nothing transitory or temporary about the lives they have built.
They have raised children and families, found jobs and become part of our community. Many have close family members, including children and spouses, who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. The vast majority have already been recognised as refugees.
Australia is their home.
It is time for the Albanese Government to abandon these cruel policies from the past, and focus on real solutions for the future.
Everyone who was previously held in offshore detention in Nauru or Papua New Guinea should be immediately granted a permanent visa.
People stuck in visa limbo are speaking out, sharing their experiences and calling on the Albanese Government to act. And they are asking all of us to stand with them.
For over 13 years, the Human Rights Law Centre has supported people and families who have survived offshore detention through legal action, public advocacy and law reform. We are proud to stand with our clients as they fight to remain in the homes they have built in Australia.
