Coalition Refugee Intake Cut Would Deny Thousands Resettlement, SSI Warns

Sydney — A proposal by the Coalition to halve Australia’s annual humanitarian intake from 20,000 to 10,000 places would deny thousands of people fleeing persecution access to resettlement, Settlement Services International (SSI) has warned.

SSI Chief Executive, Violet Roumeliotis, said the proposed reduction came as nearly 118 million people worldwide were displaced by conflict and persecution, while resettlement opportunities were declining globally.

“The world is dealing with one of the biggest displacement crises in its history. This is exactly the wrong time for Australia to be pulling back,” Roumeliotis said.

She said Australia had a long-standing record of providing protection to people fleeing persecution, warning that reducing the humanitarian intake would have a direct impact on refugees seeking a safe and lasting place to rebuild their lives.

“The impact of this proposal would be felt by real people. Fewer places would mean refugees escaping persecution lose access to resettlement, which for many is one of the only lasting ways to rebuild their lives in safety,” she said.

Roumeliotis also expressed concern over proposals to screen out new arrivals based on their country of origin or religion.

“Our migration system is built on fairness, equal opportunity and a fair go. Shutting people out because of where they were born or what they believe risks undermining that,” she said.

She said the proposed changes were being presented as a means of reducing net overseas migration, but argued that cutting the humanitarian program would have only a marginal effect on the overall migration figure.

“These changes are being justified as a way to reduce net overseas migration, but cutting the humanitarian program would make only a marginal difference to the headline number.

"It would have a small impact on overall migration, but an enormous impact on people fleeing persecution who need Australia’s protection most,” she said.

With political parties releasing new migration policies in recent weeks, SSI is calling for the national debate to move beyond short-term targets and consider Australia’s long-term migration needs.

Roumeliotis said the discussion should focus not only on annual intake figures but also on the purpose and broader contribution of Australia’s migration system.

“Before we debate how big or small the migration program should be, we need to ask a much more important question: what do we want our migration system to achieve for Australia?” she said.

She proposed a National Migration Summit that would bring together representatives from across Australian society to examine the evidence, assess the trade-offs and develop a long-term plan for the migration system.

More than 40 organisations have backed SSI’s call for a summit, including the Minerals Council of Australia, Tech Council of Australia, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Regional Australia Institute and the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association.

Roumeliotis said Australians needed an informed discussion about the practical consequences of significant migration reductions, including worsening skills shortages, longer waiting lists, slower construction and weaker economic growth.

“Recent announcements show the danger of building migration policy around a headline figure without thinking through the consequences or how the system works on the ground. Australia’s future deserves better,” she said.

SSI provides a range of human services connecting individuals, families and children from diverse backgrounds with opportunities, including settlement support, disability programs, community engagement initiatives, and training and employment pathways.

The organisation says its work is centred on equality, empathy and celebrating the contribution of every individual.