Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network (AAAN) response to Federal Budget announcement of 16,500 additional humanitarian places for people fleeing Afghanistan

The Federal Budget tonight announced 16,500 additional humanitarian visas for people from Afghanistan, over four years. This is a welcome step in the right direction and in line with key calls made by the #ActionForAfghanistan campaign since August 2021.

The announcement is a result of the incredible efforts made by those in the diaspora community, as well as key allies, who have all called for an increased humanitarian intake to reflect Australia’s two decades of military engagement in Afghanistan.

Since the fall of Kabul the Australian Government has received more than 32,500 applications for the Humanitarian program from Afghan nationals, on behalf of more than 145,000 individuals.

We must continue to ensure all efforts are now focused on expediting the existing applications currently being processed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Sadly, the situation in Afghanistan has only worsened under the Taliban as women are still banned from schools from Grade 6 upwards and prominent media outlets have been shut down.

Now the Government must priortise processing humanitarian applications without delay into the new financial year.The most vulnerable people in Afghanistan must be prioritised including women, human rights defenders and long-persecuted religious and ethnic minority groups who have suffered at the hands of the Taliban regime historically and in the last 7 months since the fall of Kabul.

Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, nearly 190,000 Australians have overwhelmingly supported the #ActionForAfghanistan campaign calling for an additional intake of 20,000 humanitarian visas for people from Afghanistan, pathways to permanent protection for those on temporary protection visas, prioritising family reunification and lifting the ban on resettlement for those stuck in Indonesia.

In addition to tonight's Budget, we urge the Government to provide a pathway to permanent protection for those who have been languishing in limbo for nearly a decade on temporary protection visas and expediting family reunification applications from thousands who remain separated from their loved ones for several years.

Arif Hussein, Human Rights Lawyer - Refugee Advice and Casework Service, Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network

“An announcement tonight is the leadership we have longed for since the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Affording an additional 16,500 people with a pathway to safety in Australia is the right and compassionate thing for Australia to do.

“There are thousands of people in our community desperate to reunite with their families, commitments such as this ensure some families can live in safety together, however there are further significant barriers we can remove to ensure this, whilst also protecting those most vulnerable.

“We can also offer permanent protection to all those here in Australia that have fled. We can also expedite processing so people don’t need to spend another moment in danger. An increased intake is a welcomed step and we hope this is the turning point towards compassion and further action.”

Shabnam Safa, Chair - National Refugee-led Advisory and Advocacy Group, Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network

“Tonight’s announcement is welcome and has been long-awaited in our community amidst the excruciating pain and distress of the last seven months. We truly hope that this is a much needed turning point towards fairer and more humane refugee policies in Australia. We have a long and proud history of compassion and since the fall of Kabul we have seen Australians from all walks of life get behind the Action for Afghanistan movement demanding exactly that.

“People fleeing persecution deserve safety and dignity, including those suffering in indefinite limbo on temporary protection visas. We call for a similar display of compassion towards them too.

Mariam Veiszadeh, CEO Media Diversity Australia, Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network

“Tonight’s Federal Budget included a long overdue announcement, but one that is welcomed by many who clung on to the hope that Australia would step up and act on its international obligations by committing to a humanitarian intake that is reflective of Australia’s two decades of military operations in Afghanistan.

“We hope this commitment is realised as we do not want to provide false hope to thousands of people including members of my own extended family who are desperate to flee the dangers they face as minority groups under the hands of the Taliban.”

Zaki Haidari, Leadership Coordinator - Jesuit Refugee Service Australia, Diaspora Advocacy Network for Afghanistan

“This announcement of additional places for refugees from Afghanistan over four years is testament to the resilience of the Afghanistan diaspora in Australia, but also to the support and solidarity of so many in the Australian community, including veterans, faith communities, and civil society partners. If implemented in a timely manner, it will save thousands of lives. “Whilst we thank the Australian Government for this hugely consequential step, the Government should also grant approximately 5,000 refugees on temporary visas permanent protection, and give us the rights to contribute fully to Australia."

Sayed Rahmatullah Hussainizada, Human Rights Lawyer - Hussaini Law Group, Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network

“It comes as a relief to the Afghan diaspora and those suffering at the hands of the brutal regime, to know that Australia will bring them to safety. But the time to do this is now. It’s of utmost importance that Australia front loads these humanitarian applications and helps get people to safety. We owe it to the Afghan population.”

Media Contact:

Sam Brennan

sam.b4@asrc.org.au or 0428 973 324

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