An End to Temporary Protection Policy; a Step in the Right Direction
"Victory for compassion and common sense"
Date Posted:
15-Feb-2023
"We will open our hearts to the cries of the poor..." (Chapter Statement)
Catholic Religious Australia - of which Sisters of Mercy Parramatta is a member organisation- is among a number of Catholic organisations that have welcomed the Albanese Government’s plan to end Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas.
More than 19,000 people with temporary refugee status will now be able to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status (RoS) visa, giving them the same rights as permanent residents. This will allow immediate access to social security payments, higher education assistance and the NDIS as well as the ability to apply for home mortgages and business loans.
Families will also be able to reunite, as RoS visa holders will be able to apply to sponsor family members through the migration program.
“For too long, refugees on temporary visas have had their lives on hold, unable to feel that Australia is their home and subject to restrictions on basic human rights,” said CRA president Fr Peter Jones OSA.
“This continued uncertainty has exacerbated the already significant trauma they have experienced in fleeing their country of origin.”