The Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on 21 February 2024, looking into the experiences of women in immigration detention facilities, and the subsequent issues women faced when they were in community detention.
Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce
Lives in limbo – 10 years of Offshore Processing
The Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) is one of many groups that are marking this week’s ‘bitter’ 10th anniversary of the Regional Resettlement Arrangement between the Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) governments with an appeal to end the misery and cruelty of offshore processing.
There are 80 refugees living in PNG without permanent safety and the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has called on the Australian Government to recommit to finding solutions for the 80 refugees still suffering in Papua New Guinea 10 years after the two governments signed their offshore processing agreement
News has emerged this day that the hosting agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea was signed in secret. The Australian government is refusing to say how much it is giving Papua New Guinea under the agreement.
Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce
Local church communities anywhere in Australia can now sponsor and welcome a refugee family from overseas. Finally, everyday Australians can help refugees in a practical, meaningful and satisfying way, through a new national ‘community sponsorship’ program. Based on the popular 40-year-old Canadian model, locals form a group to welcome and support a refugee household through this federal government-backed program.
They meet the new arrivals at the airport and help them settle into their new home and community. Ongoing support might include help with navigating Centrelink, driving lessons or or introducing them to a local business that you know is looking for staff.
Church congregations and faith groups have long been at the forefront of welcoming refugees to Australia. Now your congregation can take the next step and welcome refugees referred by the UNHCR into their hearts and lives.
