We’re fighting Labor’s Deportation and Travel Ban Bill

NEWS | Migration Justice

The Albanese Government is trying to rush through dangerous new laws that will criminalise and punish people because of their visa status. 

People who have migrated to Australia are under a fresh wave of attack. In the latest kneejerk response, the Albanese Government is trying to rush through dangerous new laws that will criminalise and punish people because of their visa status. 

Under the proposed new laws, people could be thrown in jail for five years for not assisting with their own deportation – no matter how long they’ve been in Australia, or whether they have family here. People who have fled persecution could be stripped of their refugee status and returned to harm.

Astoundingly, the new laws could allow the Government to ban people from certain countries from ever travelling to Australia. Should the legislation pass, the Minister could impose a Trump-style travel ban by preventing visa applications from people from ‘removal concern countries’.

A Parliamentary Inquiry was set up to hear the public’s views on the Bill. We are working with refugees and partners including the Migrant Workers Centre, Democracy in Colour and Refugee WAVE to try and put a stop to these dangerous and discriminatory reforms.

The Human Rights Law Centre delivered expert evidence calling for these harmful and racist laws to be scrapped. With those directly affected by these laws, we will continue meeting directly with politicians to make sure they hear the message loud and clear - the Australian community won’t accept the endless punishment and criminalisation of migrants and refugees.    

We will continue calling for fair migration policies and for the Albanese Government to accept that it cannot indefinitely detain people simply because they don’t have a visa. People unjustly trapped in detention or impacted by draconian visa policies should be able to rebuild their lives in the community, in freedom and with dignity.