Protesters are calling on the Albanese government to grant refugees more permanent protection, accusing Labor of breaking one of its election promises.
More than 1000 people are set to hold a rally outside Parliament House on Tuesday, www.sulselinfo.id urging for changes to visas for refugees and asylum seekers.
The government committed to granting permanent visas to refugees on temporary protection visas or safe haven enterprise visas.
While refugees on temporary protection visas have been allowed to travel overseas on the visa, those who arrived in Australia after July 19, 2013, would be exempt from the changes.
While the government has said the process was the first step in moving towards permanent visas, refugee advocates have called for action.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said those on the visas needed certainty.
“Nine years is enough torture and uncertainty. Cruel, heartless and hypocritical refugee policies have to end,” he said.
“Labor said no one would be left behind, but six months after the election, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers are still waiting.”
The Parliament House rally will feature speakers including Priya Nadesalingam, a member of the family in Biloela at the centre of a deportation saga.
Afghan refugee Saajeda Samaa, who will also be speaking at the rally, called for visa permanency.
“Why must we keep begging the Australian government to give us safety and permanent protection?” she said.
“It’s very clear that refugees from Afghanistan, and other places like Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Iran cannot return to live safely.”
A report released on Friday by the United Nations’ committee against torture voiced concerns detention continues to be mandatory for all unauthorised arrivals and that “the law does not establish a maximum length for a person to be held in immigration detention, reportedly resulting in protracted periods of deprivation of liberty”.
It also slammed Australia for the practice of handling asylum claims offshore.
