MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

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1 Immigration The Democrats support a non-discriminatory immigration program which gives priority to refugees and family reunion applicants. The Democrats are on the record as favouring a doubling of the current refugee quota. The Democrats also support: l the provision of high quality post arrival educational and orientation services; l recognition of qualifications, linked with the right of reciprocity for Australian qualifications and based upon careful assessment of course content, curricula and requirements, and professional and trade experience; l reversing the Howard Government's two year waiting period on social security benefits for newly arrived migrants; l restoring migrants' eligibility to the full range of employment placement services; and l a level of migration which will enable the population of Australia to be stabilised at a level which is consistent with a sustainable environment. Two year wait for special benefit The Democrats opposed the introduction of the two year waiting period for newly arrived migrants for all social security benefits. This measure built on the six month waiting period initially introduced by the Labor Party. The Democrats believe such a measure is divisive, discriminatory and completely counterproductive. While we acknowledge that rights and responsibilities must go hand in hand for all those who chose to settle in Australia, we do not agree with this Government's current approach which demands responsibility while simultaneously denying basic rights which are accessible to other Australians. cont p.2 The Australian Democrats support a non-discriminatory immigration program, and oppose the Howard Government's two year waiting period on social security benefits for newly arrived migrants. MULTICULTURAL l Multicultural Australia, A l Refugees A Service of Capital Monitor

2 Immigration - page 2 - Recent moves by the Democrats to have the Special Benefit removed from this two year waiting period have been in response to a number of calls from community and charity groups which have found themselves struggling to assist newly arrived migrants who are unable to meet their most basic life requirements. After hearing many stories of newly arrived migrants suffering from malnutrition, unable to access safe or suitable accommodation and unable to afford to care for or adequately feed their children, the Democrats moved an amendment to have the Special Benefit exempted from the two year waiting period in the Senate. Although we have been unsuccessful in getting this unfair policy reversed to date, we will continue to highlight the unacceptable effects this measure is having on Australia's newly arrived residents. Employment services In being ineligible for social security benefits as a result of the two year waiting period, many migrants are also ineligible for a whole range of other services which would assist them to get a job and secure a means of supporting themselves and their families. Under the Howard Government's recent reforms to employment services, the only people who are able to access employment assistance - apart from being able to access a database at Centrelink - are those who are receiving a social security benefit. This means that all those newly arrived residents who are subject to a two year waiting period do not have access to to job matching services, training programs or any other form of intensive employment assistance. Many migrants come to Australia under the skilled migrant program. Many are highly qualified. Denying highly qualified migrants access to job search assistance is clearly very counter productive as it denies these people access to the very assistance which would help them to find work and thus a means of supporting themselves. The Democrats will continue to raise the injustice of this policy and seek to ensure that all migrants are able to access a full range of employment placement assistance. #

3 A Multicultural Australia Australia is a multicultural society and all of us have a part to play in building a strong, safe, harmonious and prosperous society. The Australian Democrats have consistently and strongly supported the concept of multicuralism and have taken action on numerous occasions to make it a reality; and we will continue to do so. The Howard Government has shown little commitment to promoting multiculturalism. The Democrats have grave concerns about the direction of the attitudes in relation to immigration and multiculturalism in recent years, because it seems that many of these are based on misconceptions and prejudices. In fact, all too often, any move to promote and embrace racial diversity seems be taking a back seat to the need to appease those who would like to see a return to some kind of 'white Australia' policy. The Australian Democrats have consistently and strongly supported the concept of multiculturalism, and we will continue to do so. For over two centuries, many people from a wide range of countries have come to settle in Australia. Coupled with the dynamic culture of the original inhabitants, this has contributed to a richly diverse Australian culture. The Democrats believe that a cohesive, multicultural society can only be maintained and developed if all immigrants - including those who come from non-english speaking backgrounds - achieve equality in access to the services, benefits and opportunities available in Australia. The Democrats have pursued this principle by: l opposing the introduction of a two year waiting period for newly arrived migrants to receive social security benefits; l fighting for and achieving the independence of the SBS; l pressing for increased funding for Ethnic Community Broadcasting; l strongly supporting racial vilification legislation; l voting against fee increases for English language classes (supported by both the 'old' parties); l pressing for an improved system for the recognition of overseas qualifications, skills and experience; cont p.2 MULTICULTURAL l Immigration l Refugees

4 A Multicultural Australia - page 2 - l l advocating: l the expansion of interpreter services, including in government departments, hospitals and courts, and the legal system generally; and l the development of a National Language Policy including major support to foreign and community language teaching; Voting repeatedly against legislation designed to limit the access of asylum seekers to Australian courts. Two year wait for special benefits The Democrats opposed the Coalition Government's introduction of the two year waiting period for newly arrived migrants for all social security benefits. This measure built on the six month waiting period initially introduced by the Labor Party. The Democrats believe such a measure is divisive, discriminatory and completely counterproductive. While we acknowledge that rights and responsibilities must go hand in hand for all those who chose to settle in Australia, we do not agree with this Government's current approach which demands responsibility while simultaneously denying basic rights which are accessible to other Australians. Recent moves by the Democrats to have the Special Benefit removed from this two year waiting period have been in response to a number of calls from community and charity groups which have found themselves struggling to assist newly arrived migrants who are unable to meet their most basic life requirements. After hearing many stories of newly arrived migrants suffering from malnutrition, unable to access safe or suitable accommodation and unable to afford to care for or adequately feed their children, the Democrats moved an amendment to have the Special Benefit exempted from the two year waiting period in the Senate. Although we have been unsuccessful in getting this unfair policy reversed to date, we will continue to highlight the unacceptable effects this measure is having on Australia's newly arrived residents. #

5 Refugees In assessing the annual intake of immigrants the Australian Democrats give priority to refugees and family reunion applicants. The Democrats are on record as favouring a doubling of the current refugee quota. Refugee assessment The Democrats have consistently fought for the principle that asylum seekers should be given equal treatment to any other person before the Australian courts. Accordingly, we have insisted that people applying for refugee status should be: l advised of their legal rights, including the right to legal advice and representation; and l provided with that advice and with interpreter services. The Democrats are on record as favouring a doubling of the current refugee quota. No 'barbed wire' detention Asylum seekers applying for refugee status should not be incarcerated where contact with legal advisers, school attendance for children and adequate accommodation and other services is rendered difficult if not impossible. Consideration instead should be given to the possibility of releasing asylum seekers into the custody of church groups and community organisations, many of which have offered to accept responsibility for refugees and/or applicants for refugee status. Many refugees coming to Australia have been subjected to threats, torture or trauma in their country of origin. The Democrats strongly support special training for all immigration officials who deal with refugees and those seeking asylum in Australia to ensure that they are sensitive to these issues. We also strongly support the provision of counselling and other services aimed at assisting those who have been subjected to threats, torture or trauma in their country of origin both within existing detention centres and the community. The Democrats have continued to oppose ongoing moves by the Coalition Government, supported by the Labor Party, to further restrict the rights of people applying for refugee status. # MULTICULTURAL l Immigration l Multicultural Australia, A