There are people temporarily resident in Australia on Safe Haven or Temporary Protection Visas. The Australian Government, in all good conscience, will not be able to return most of these people to their country of origin on account of refoulment matters. If they are sent home, they are likely to be incarcerated or lose their lives. Bishop Philip Huggins make a plea for their concern.
Temporary visa holders
Suffering of temporary migrants during the COVID-19 crisis
In the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown in March, many temporary visa holders working in heavily casualised industries, such as hospitality and retail, lost their jobs and struggled to meet basic living expenses.
These included international students, backpackers, graduates, sponsored workers and refugees, among others.
As World Humanitarian Day approaches (Wednesday, 19 August 2020), we look to the humanitarian record of the Australian Government and how it fails its international obligations to protect the rights and lives of all who reside in Australia, whether permanent or temporary residents.