GUIDE TO REFUGEE POLICIES OF MINOR PARTY
CANDIDATES FOR THE 2013 SENATE ELECTION
With 529 candidates standing for the 40 Senate positions up for election in eight states and territories,
political analysts believe that minor parties could be critical to the Senate election outcome. Among the
possibilities are that elected minor party candidates could hold the balance of power in the next Senate.
The largest field of candidates is in New South Wales, where 44 parties or teams have nominated and
110 candidates are contesting six Senate seats. In Victoria, there are 97 candidates, 82 in Queensland,
73 in South Australia, 62 in Western Australia and 54 in Tasmania. The two territories elect just two
Senators each but electors in the Australian Capital Territory can choose from 27 candidates and the
Northern Territory 24.
If you vote above the line in the Senate, your preferences will be allocated in line with your selected
team’s group voting ticket. These group voting tickets have caused considerable controversy as a
number of the parties are giving preferences to minor party candidates whose views would appear to be
incompatible with those of their supporters. In NSW, for instance, Pauline Hanson of One Nation could
benefit from the flow of preferences from up to 23 parties if the battle for the final two NSW Senate
seats is between her party, Labor, the Coalition and the Greens. The ABC elections website has provided
a guide to the preference flows for each party’s group voting ticket in each state and territory – see
http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2013/guide/gtv/
The alternative to voting above the line in the Senate and having your preferences allocated according
to a party’s group voting ticket is to allocate your own preferences by voting in every box below the line.
This guide aims to give you some background if you are attempting to rank parties on refugee policy
matters. It also includes links to party websites to check other key policies.
The website http://www.belowtheline.org.au/ is a useful resource. It enables you to rank the candidates
in your House of Representatives seat and in the Senate election according to your preferences and
then gives you your own how-to-vote card which you can print and take to the polling booth.
This guide supplements information the Refugee Council of Australia has already published on the
refugee policy platforms of Labor, the Liberal-National Coalition and the Greens.1 That document can be
found at http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/r/rpt/2013election.pdf
REGISTERED PARTIES
AFNPP – AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NATIONS POLITICAL PARTY – contesting NT Senate election
Website: http://firstnationsaustralia.weebly.com/index.html
“We stand for inclusiveness and celebrate cultural diversity in its many forms, this includes having
compassion towards people seeking asylum in this country and other cultures already here. We
celebrate our cultural diversity, multiple heritages and shared responsibilities by embracing traditional
and contemporary cultures and values.”
In deciding which party platforms to highlight in the original document, we chose parties with more than one representative in the
2010-13 Parliament.
1
Suite 4A6, 410 Elizabeth Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010 Australia
Phone: (02) 9211 9333 ● Fax: (02) 9211 9288
[email protected] ● Web: www.refugeecouncil.org.au
Incorporated in ACT ● ABN 87 956 673 083
The Refugee Council of Australia represents
non-government organisations and
individuals working with and for refugees
in Australia and around the world
ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY – ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.animaljusticeparty.org/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
AUSTRALIA FIRST PARTY – NSW, Qld
Website: http://australiafirstparty.net/
Australia First advocates:
• Refusing to admit to Australia any person claiming to be a refugee.
• Deportation of “all illegal arrivals defined as uninvited (by boat or plane) since Kevin 07”.
• Scrapping permanent residency for refugees, replacing it with temporary residency and repatriation
to country of origin when political circumstances allow.
• An immediate suspension of all immigration to Australia, for a minimum of six years.
• Australia renouncing the 1951 Refugee Convention.
• Restricting Australian citizenship with conditions to include a minimum eight-year waiting period,
minimum Year 10 English standards and financial independence.
• A constitutional plebiscite on immigration policy.
• Immediate cancellation of citizenship and residence, and return to country of origin, of former
refugees and immigrants convicted of criminal offences.
• Turning back boats at sea after reprovision.
• Introducing “a new law on piracy to address people-smugglers and illegal-entry behaviour via boat”.
• Introduction “a new law on unarmed combatants which creates a state of war between Australia
and those who may attempt to invade its territory”.
• Retaining the “ultimate sanction of deadly force if it ever had to be used against flotillas of boats
organised by foreign states or by the would-be entrants themselves”.
• Seizing the property and other assets of all refugee advocates (whether political, clergy, legal or
activist) to create a fund to sustain the resettlement of refugees.2
Australia First also advocates active and passive resistance against refugees and migrants and all
organisations and businesses which support them or are conducted by them.
AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS – Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://australianchristians.com.au/election/
“Regarding stopping dangerous boat journeys, we believe the Australian Government should investigate
opening a refugee processing facility, in conjunction with Indonesia and under the governance of the
UNHCR in Indonesia. This could be staffed by Indonesians, providing employment for the locals, under
the management of Australian personnel, and jointly funded by Australia, UNHCR and Indonesia.
Regarding refugee intake in general, we believe Australia should re-balance the refugee intake to
reduce the number of Muslim refugees and take more persecuted Christians from various African
countries.”
AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS – NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Website: http://australian-democrats.org.au/
“The Australian Democrats policy is to avoid Australia’s population getting to an unsustainable level. At
the same time we seek to fulfil our international and moral obligations to asylum seekers fleeing
persecution elsewhere.
• To ensure our continent’s long-term sustainability, we aim to first stabilise then reduce Australia’s
population to an ecologically sustainable level.
• To restrain population growth in a way that is equitable to all, is in keeping with the environment’s
capacity to sustain human numbers and that acknowledges Australia’s international human rights
obligations.
• To support families in making decisions about family size so that additional stresses are not placed
on our unique environment, long-term agricultural productivity or infrastructure.
• Limiting baby bonus/family leave provisions and diverting the resources to education, family
planning and foreign aid.
• All areas of Australia's immigration law meet our international obligations;
See http://australiafirstparty.net/the-national-interest/political-vampires/one-nation-supports-refugee-citizenship/ and
http://australiafirstparty.net/election-campaigns/australia-first-2013/port-adelaide-2013/the-refugee-issue-is-the-issue-of-the-election/
2
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
page 2
•
•
All people accepted into Australia as refugees will be granted permanent visas;
Non authorised arrivals will not be automatically subject to detention unless there are compelling
security or public health reasons for doing so.”
AUSTRALIAN FISHING AND LIFESTYLE PARTY – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://aflp.org.au/
The AFLP website says the party believes that:
• Australian sovereignty takes primacy over international obligations. Borders should be secure.
• Economic and compassionate immigration should be maintained at levels Australia’s social
infrastructure is capable of handling.
• Australia should respect and encourage ethnic diversity.
AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENTS – ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.australianindependents.org.au/
The Australian Independents stand for:
• all refugees being processed in or near their own countries;
• increasing the refugee intake to 50,000 per year;
• asylum seekers boosting populations of small towns in rural and regional areas of Australia and
filling vacant jobs in outback Australia;
• all asylum seekers who arrive by boat being transported back to their own countries by plane, for
processing;
• a widespread awareness raising campaign to inform asylum seekers of the locations of the
processing centres in their own countries.
AUSTRALIAN MOTORING ENTHUSIAST PARTY – NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.australianmotoringenthusiastparty.org.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
AUSTRALIAN PROTECTIONIST PARTY – NSW, Qld
Website: http://www.protectionist.net/
The Australian Protectionist Party advocates “a sensible immigration program geared towards accepting
into Australia people from culturally similar populations, who will readily accept our way of life and the
inherent values associated therein”.
“If we desire to help refugees, then they should be assisted in their own regions, in countries where they
are more likely to fit in culturally and ethnically. The money spent on assisting ten refugees here could
assist hundreds of refugees in Third World situations… The failed and disastrous policies of
Multiculturalism and mass Third World immigration need to be halted, and be replaced by policies that
care for the well-being of the Australian people.”
AUSTRALIAN REPUBLICANS – NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic
Website: http://www.therepublicans.com.au/
The Australian Republicans believe in zero net migration. “If, say, 200,000 people depart Australia in
one calendar year then we allow 200,000 people from all categories to enter the country legally in the
following calendar year.”
AUSTRALIAN SPORTS PARTY – WA
Website: http://www.australiansportsparty.com/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
AUSTRALIAN VOICE – NSW, Qld, Vic, WA
Website: http://av.org.au/
Australian Voice says: “There are legitimate pathways for immigration. Unlawful violations of Australian
sovereignty will be subjected to the full force of the law.
• Immigrants welcomed into our country obtain our social commitment, likewise we expect their
commitment to respect and contribute to Australian society.
• We believe that all migrants to this country must speak or learn English and be willing to fully
integrate into our communities and adopt our cultural values and traditions.
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
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•
Australia should set realistic humanitarian quotas for various classes of displaced persons giving
preference to those genuinely seeking refuge or asylum, rather than ‘economic refugees’ seeking to
relocate to a more prosperous part of the world.”
BANK REFORM PARTY – Vic
Website: http://www.bankreformparty.com/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
BUILDING AUSTRALIA PARTY – NSW, Qld, SA, Vic
Website: http://www.buildingaustralia.org.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
BULLET TRAIN FOR AUSTRALIA – ACT, NSW, Vic
Website: http://bullettrainforaustralia.com.au/
The Bullet Train for Australia Party “has no official position on any other policy areas apart from HighSpeed-Rail (HSR), Bullet Trains, Very Fast Trains, Fast-rail and related topics”.
CARERS ALLIANCE – NSW
Website: http://www.carers.org.au/
The Carers Alliance does not appear to have declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
However, NSW Senate candidate Maree Buckwalter has been quoted as saying: “We need to do
something about protecting borders, with the amount of people coming here as economic refugees.”3
CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (FRED NILE GROUP) – NSW
Website: http://www.cdp.org.au/
“CDP affirms that it is the sovereign right of any nation to determine who may enter its borders for
temporary or permanent stay and that the operations of people smugglers should continue to be
disrupted and frustrated. CDP considers that Australia should continue to meet its international
obligations to treat unauthorised arrivals humanely and expediently consider any claims they make for
refugee status. Persons who arrive illegally and make claims for protection that are proven false should
be removed from Australia as soon as practicable. Mandatory detention should continue for all persons
without authority to be in Australia, although provisions for supervised release into the community for
families with children should be considered. Australia should continue to be a world leader in being a
generous haven for genuine refugees through internationally supervised and orderly refugee
resettlement programs. Priority should be given to refugee applicants who are most likely to readily
integrate into the Australian way of life, including those who are being persecuted for their Christian
faith.” The party also advocates for “a review of multicultural policies that are divisive” and “proposes a
10 year moratorium on Islamic immigration as starting point for a serious national discussion on this
issue”.
CITIZENS ELECTORAL COUNCIL – NT, Vic
Website: http://cecaust.com.au/election2013/
The Citizens Electoral Council (CEC) does not articulate an immigration or refugee policy on its website.
However, CEC leader Craig Isherwood wrote in 2011: “Not only has Labor under Gillard adopted the
Liberals’ fascist policy towards refugees but Gillard is determined to ‘out-Hitler’ even Abbott, by passing
amendments to deliberately exclude refugees from the right to ‘natural justice’, and to base refugee
policy on ‘deterrence’ – Fabian-speak for maximum cruelty and suffering.”4
COUNTRY ALLIANCE – SA, Tas, Vic
Website: http://www.countryalliance.org/
Country Alliance does not have a position on policies relating to asylum seekers. “Our candidates are
free to have their own opinion. This will allow them to listen to reasoned debate and make an informed
decision on these important issues.”5
http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/mojo/the-minors-carers-alliance/
http://cecaust.com.au/main.asp?sub=releases&id=2011_09_22_GIllard_Follows_Fabian.html
5 http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1742491/senate-candidates/?cs=3226
3
4
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
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DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY (DLP) – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic
Website: http://www.dlp.org.au/
The DLP believes in a bipartisan approach by Parliament in working to address the issue of flows of
asylum seekers to Australia. “We must focus on what we can do to help the plight of asylum seekers in
a balanced, dignified, safe and compassionate way. Rather than spending billions of dollars every year
on keeping asylum seekers detained offshore, we should be spending this money within our domestic
economy through an onshore processing solution. This will create jobs for Australian workers while
treating asylum seekers with dignity. It will save lives and strengthen our economy.” The DLP says
Australia must work closely with its neighbours to ensure our ability to help 30,000 refugees each year
in an orderly and sustainable fashion and maintain secure borders is not undermined. It proposes:
• Enhanced cooperation with Indonesian authorities on law enforcement;
• Deducting $1 million from Australia’s upcoming aid to Indonesia for every vessel of asylum seekers
which leaves their Exclusive Economic Zone undetected for Australia;
• Increase our annual asylum seeker and refugee intake from Indonesia;
• Asylum seekers who then still come to Australia from Indonesia by boat will be transported to one of
five UN accredited refugee camps of their choice.
“Those who qualify for asylum should receive it on a temporary basis of up to five years. Processing will
initially take place in a ‘Secure Community’. This process should typically take a matter of weeks. If a
person’s refugee status is confirmed, he or she will promptly be relocated to a purpose-designed
‘Regional Estate’, to live in typical Australian housing and be provided with the opportunity to work,
undergo education and training and integrate with the Australian community.
Refugee status will be re-assessed on a set date after three years and again after a further two years.
Should it be found possible for them to return home at either of these points, they will be able to do so.
Should they not be able to return after five years, they will then be granted permanent residency.”
DRUG LAW REFORM – ACT, NSW, SA, Vic
Website: http://www.druglawreform.com.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
FAMILY FIRST PARTY – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://familyfirst.org.au/
Family First does not appear to have a refugee policy for the 2013 election. However, party candidate
Hazel Alley said: “Genuine asylum seekers fleeing persecution or tragic circumstances should be
treated with compassion. Australia does have the capacity to offer hospitality to many in need, providing
a safe haven and a settled future. But many of those coming by boat, it seems, are not genuine
refugees but economic migrants trying to cheat the system, not persecuted or displaced but seeking the
life of abundance in an affluent welfare state. This has to be stopped. The only way is with a
comprehensive policy that applies all means to thwarting the illegal influx. This includes offshore
processing and turning back boats when possible. The illegal trade has to be ended by shutting that
door …‘Assimilation’ was once Australia’s theme but was discarded in favour of ‘multiculturalism,’ the
great political buzz-word of more recent decades. But multiculturalism doesn't have the answers, and
people coming to Australia need especially to appreciate the values of Australian society and the
benefits of a liberal democracy, and become very much part of what that means.”6
FUTURE PARTY – NSW
Website: http://futureparty.org.au/
“The Future Party will increase Australia’s humanitarian intake in proportion to other migration
schemes. In the short term the additional places created should be offered to recognised refugees in
Indonesia and Malaysia to reduce the demand for smuggling, as per the recommendations of the
Houston Report. The Future Party has not yet resolved on further policy in this area; a number of options
are under discussion.” The party says it would introduce “a new class of sponsored compassionate visa
with limited access to public services”. “The visa would grant the right to residency but with an ongoing
sponsorship requirement from the visa holder’s family, to cover all direct costs incurred by access to
public services such as Medicare etc.” The party’s migration plan would aim to increase Australia’s
population by 20 million people over the next 20 years.
6
http://www.hazelalley.com/asylum-seekers#.UiRRSD_Dt8E
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
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HELP END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION (HEMP) PARTY – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://australianhempparty.com/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
KATTER'S AUSTRALIAN PARTY – ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.kattersaustralianparty.com.au/
The Katter Australia Party is “committed to demonstrating humanitarian compassion in balance with
deterring unacceptably dangerous irregular maritime arrivals”. It sees the arrival of asylum seekers by
boat as problematic due to the “risk to life in making the perilous journey to Australia in barely
seaworthy vessels”, the “burden on Australia’s systems to receive, shelter and process these people”
and the national security risk posed by “the ease of entry and inability to process the asylum seekers
adequately”.
The Katter Australia Party proposes that asylum seekers have their claims assessed quickly and those
who are recognised as refugees be granted only temporary visas. Subject to health and security checks,
they would be released into the community “on a strict social contract subject to close electronic
monitoring for a probationary period in lieu of detention”. These temporary visas would also “provide
conditions in relation to settlement and assimilation into the Australian community, compelling a
commitment to Australian culture, and compelling a productive contribution to the Australian economy”.
This would include being “employed/deployed in work for the dole type programs, particularly in the
construction of their own housing and infrastructure requirements”.
The Katter Australia Party would seek to increase and enhance Australia’s fleet of patrol boats; restrict
Australia’s migration zone to the mainland; turn back any seaworthy boats carrying asylum seekers that
are found in Australian waters; and vigorously prosecute suspected people smuggler ring leaders and
organisers.
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.ldp.org.au/
The Liberal Democratic Party believes that “it is important that Australia provides a sanctuary for people
who are fleeing political oppression and persecution, both on compassionate grounds and to
demonstrate to the rest of the world the attractions of a free and democratic society”.
The Party proposes that all unauthorised arrivals should be detained temporarily for preliminary health
and security checks. People who are “refused admission on health or security grounds will be deported”
while those who pass these checks can apply “for admission on humanitarian grounds as a refugee”.
The refugee status determination process “will be limited to a tribunal of first instance and a single
court of appeal”, both of which “will be open to the public unless closed for a specific reason”. Asylum
seekers can apply for temporary release from detention while their applications are being processed,
subject to a bail payment (which can be posted by any individual or organisation) and bail-like reporting
conditions. They will be permitted to work while living in the community. The bail money will be refunded
if the asylum seeker leaves the country.
The Liberal Democratic Party proposes that permanent residents of Australia should not be eligible for
welfare payments, except in cases where their country of citizenship has reciprocal free immigration
arrangements with Australia.
NATIONAL PARTY – SA, WA
Website: http://www.nationals.org.au/
The National Party is running separate Senate tickets in SA and WA and has individual candidates in
NSW and Victoria who are part of the Liberal-National Coalition Senate teams. The Nationals share a
common platform on refugee issues with the Liberal Party.7
NICK XENOPHON GROUP – SA
Website: http://www.nickxenophon.com.au/
Senator Nick Xenophon does not promote policies relating to refugees on his election website. However,
his actions as a Senator have included supporting the abolition of the Howard Government’s
immigration detention debts policy, opposing the Gillard Government’s proposed asylum seeker swap
See 2013 Federal election: Refugee policies of Labor, Coalition and the Greens http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/r/rpt/2013election.pdf
7
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
page 6
arrangement with Malaysia and opposing the Rudd Government’s recent announcement of “regional
resettlement arrangements” with Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
NO CARBON TAX CLIMATE SCEPTICS – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.climate-sceptics.com.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS PARTY (EQUAL PARENTING) – NSW
Website: http://www.equalparenting.org.au/
The Non-Custodial Parents Party says: “We support controlled immigration. In 2010-11, there were
423,897 arrivals to Australia and 253,618 departures, providing a net gain of 170,279 people. This
represents more than half the population gain for a year. Australia’s total fertility rate (TFR) was about
1.90 babies per female in 2009. It is recognised that without immigration, the TFR should be at least
2.1 for sustainability. Australia needs controlled immigration to remain a vibrant and sustainable
country.”
ONE NATION – NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.onenation.com.au/
One Nation proposes that:
• Anyone arriving without paperwork should be immediately denied entry and sent back to their last
known port before arrival or their homeland.
• Foreign aid to Indonesia should be conditional on their cooperation in stopping illegal people
smugglers.
• People smuggling should carry a minimum jail term of ten years for organisers and two years for
crew, to be served in an Indonesian prison.
• “Genuine refugees” should be granted a temporary protection visa to be reviewed every two years.
Depending on individual circumstances, they will be sent back to their homeland if there is no longer
a threat to their safety.
• Family reunion should not be available to refugees until they are granted permission to apply for
Australian citizenship (no less than five years from the date of acceptance as a refugee).
• All refugees must clear a health check.
• Australia should withdraw from the 1951 Refugee Convention.
PALMER UNITED PARTY – ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://palmerunited.com/
The Palmer United Party promotes what it says is a “common sense policy of arrivals to Australia to save
billions of dollars”, pointing to the cost of deploying the navy in interception and rescue operations,
impact of families being separated by asylum movements and the loss of life at sea. To take away the
financial incentive for people to enter Australia by boat, the party says: “If a person seeking entry into
Australia was allowed to board a plane for $800 to fly to one of our airports such as Sydney or Brisbane,
they wouldn’t need to pay the people smugglers up to $20,000 for illegal entry to Australia. Any person
would require their valid passport to board the flight, so when arriving at the immigration hall we would
know who they are and where they came from. At the airport we could have the facilities to deal with
them. Each person or family could be given a fair hearing at the airport facilities when they arrive to
determine if they had a lawful right of entry into Australia. If they didn’t they could be returned to where
they came from on the next flight. This would abolish the detention camps, restore our navy to its
traditional role, save the lives of children and families, keep families together and recognise the
legitimate rights of those that have a lawful reason for entering Australia. This policy would also reduce
the risk of breaches in our quarantine and protect our agricultural industries.”
PIRATE PARTY – NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic,
Website: http://pirateparty.org.au/
The Pirate Party advocates Australian support and funding to establish a regional asylum seeker queue
– comprising willing Refugee Convention signatories – to share the processing of refugee claims in a
transparent process overseen by UNHCR or an independent, expert organisation. Asylum seekers who
arrive in any participating country would receive a common standard of services including housing,
education and processing of their asylum claim, which would follow all relevant international laws and
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
page 7
treaties. Priority would be given to back-logged cases, families would be kept together and asylum
seekers would be able to express a preference for a settlement destination.
Any refugees accepted by Australia would arrive by air or a naval vessel and be subject to reporting
requirements and availability for processing of their application for asylum. Peer-driven community
training and social services would be delivered to help refugees understand their legal rights, build
social networks and acquire skills. Refugees would receive a basic income, have the right to work and a
pathway to citizenship.
RISE UP AUSTRALIA PARTY – ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://riseupaustraliaparty.com/
The Rise Up Australia Party opposes the arrival of asylum seekers by boat and encourages asylum
seekers and refugees to enter Australia through official channels. Legislation would be introduced to
return all asylum seekers “back to their homelands, which will (after a short time) completely
discourage and drastically lower boat arrivals by closing our borders)”. The party states that eight out of
ten asylum seekers arriving by boat are of Muslim faith and expresses concerns about the number of
Muslims arriving in Australia.
SECULAR PARTY OF AUSTRALIA – NSW, Qld, SA Vic, WA
Website: http://www.secular.org.au/
“We support continuation of an immigration program that is both economically beneficial and
environmentally sustainable, and which provides sufficient allowance for sustainable humanitarian
obligations. The Secular Party deplores xenophobic attempts to demonise asylum seekers. We support
review of the current refugee system which gives special priority to those asylum seekers who manage
to reach Australia.
“We note that migrants to Australia must agree to respect certain values, including the equality of men
and women, as part of the Australian Values Statement in the immigration application form. It is the
policy of the Secular Party to gain a commitment from prospective migrants that they will be required to
respect these values and to comply with Australian law before any religious law. Evidence of compliance
with the Australian Values Statement, such as witness statements, should be provided before
permanent residence visas and citizenship are granted.”
SENATOR ONLINE (INTERNET VOTING BILLS/ISSUES) – NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic
Website: http://www.senatoronline.org.au/
The Senator Online (SOL) party has no specific policies on any matter, including refugee issues. If
elected, it will provide Australians with “balanced, unbiased information on important issues, Bills, and
policies in Parliament” and invite them to vote via a website or smartphone app on how they want SOL
MPs and Senators to vote on “every Bill, every important issue, every time”. The SOL MPs and Senators
would then vote according to the direction of the clear majority of online voters.
SEX PARTY – ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.sexparty.org.au/
Sex Party leader Fiona Patten says her party does not have the definitive answer to the problems
associated with asylum seeker flows “but we know that none of the three major parties has either”.
“As a civil liberties party we cannot support the locking up of people, especially children, so we must
look for a better option. I always wonder why we are not focusing more on why people are fleeing their
country of origin. What can Australia do here? Why are we relying on a refugee convention that was
written nearly seventy years ago as a response to the refugee crisis at the end of World War Two? The
world is completely different and so is the plight of refugees.” In Parliament, the Sex Party “would rely
on evidence and common sense to back a position and not political expediency”.
SHOOTERS AND FISHERS – NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/
“Australia's border security has weakened markedly since the Labor government took office in 2007.
Under successive governments border security has been mismanaged as evidenced by increasing
numbers of asylum seekers arriving illegally, illegal firearms, illicit drugs and exotic diseases … The
Shooters and Fishers Party strongly supports measures to significantly strengthen border security
against illegal arrivals, illicit drugs, illegal firearms and other contraband.”
Guide to refugee policies of minor party candidates for 2013 Senate election
page 8
SMOKERS RIGHTS – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://smokersrights.org.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
SOCIALIST ALLIANCE – NSW
Website: http://www.socialist-alliance.org/
The Socialist Alliance proposes:
• Ending the use of any “safe third country” to screen out asylum seekers.
• Abolishing offshore processing and return excised territories to Australia’s migration zone.
• Immediate resettlement of all UNHCR-assessed refugees in Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Abolishing legislation that criminalises people-smuggling.
• Ending mandatory detention, closing all detention centres and allowing asylum seekers to live in the
community while their claims are being assessed.
• No deportations of asylum seekers.
• Increasing the annual offshore humanitarian intake to at least 26,000 places and end quotas for
accepting asylum seekers.
• A fairer and transparent process of refugee status determination.
• Ending ASIO security assessments.
• Refugee status for stateless people.
• Accepting “climate refugees”, particularly from Asia-Pacific, in addition to the humanitarian
program.
• Expanding the definition of refugee to include people fleeing economic hardship.
• Establishing contact with asylum seekers deported to their country of origin to determine whether
they are at risk and in need of refugee protection.
• Replacing the Refugee Review Tribunal with an a fully independent merits review tribunal and
restoring access to all levels of judicial appeal on matters of “substance” as well as law.
• Ensuring asylum seekers can access the full range of social security, health, housing, transport,
education and employment services as well as post-trauma counselling and free English classes.
• Abolishing all family reunion waiting lists, visa requirements to pass health checks and payments of
up-front bonds.
SOCIALIST EQUALITY PARTY – NSW, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.sep.org.au/website/
“All people, whatever their place of birth, their ethnicity or religion, must have the unfettered right to live
and work in the country of their choosing, with full citizenship rights. The SEP (Socialist Equality Party)
rejects the reactionary framework of ‘border protection’ upheld by all the capitalist parties, including the
Greens. All refugees in detention centres must be released immediately and immigration controls and
restrictions lifted. Workers should reject with contempt the claims that refugees are responsible for the
social crisis that has been produced by government policies and the anarchic profit system. Workers
must reject all forms of racism, nationalism and xenophobia, including the demonising of refugees. Only
by linking the struggles of workers in Australia with their class brothers and sisters in Asia and the world
can the global offensive of the banks and corporations, and the drive to war, be defeated.”
STABLE POPULATION PARTY – ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.populationparty.org.au/
The Stable Population Party says that the population issue is not about boats, as asylum seekers
arriving by boat are a small proportion of annual immigration and total population growth. The party:
• supports an annual total refugee intake of around 14,000 to 20,000;
• wants an end to dangerous boat journeys and would work with either major party if elected, in the
context of strong global action on population issues;
• acknowledges that overpopulation drives the resource scarcity behind most current conflicts and
forced migration;
• would aim to assist people around the world to live sustainably and peacefully in their homeland,
through foreign aid focused on female rights and education, reproductive health and voluntary
family planning services.
“Our primary and overwhelming moral responsibility is to pass on a sustainable Australia to our children
and grandchildren.”
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STOP CSG – NSW, Qld, Vic
Website: http://www.stopcsgparty.org.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
STOP THE GREENS (OUTDOOR RECREATION PARTY) – NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA
Website: http://www.orp.org.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
UNITING AUSTRALIA PARTY – NSW, NT, Qld
Website: http://www.unitingaustraliaparty.com.au/
Uniting Australia Party aims to “decrease the incentives for illegal immigrants, make it harder for the
people smugglers who are risking the lives of the refugees arriving by boat from Asia, while maintaining
our moral obligations for legal immigrants and refugees. We welcome all new Australians who cherish
the Australian way of life, and are willing to fit in and help to keep Australia a strong nation.”
VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA PARTY – ACT, NSW, SA
Website: http://vep.org.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
WIKILEAKS PARTY – NSW, Vic, WA
Website: https://www.wikileaksparty.org.au/
If elected to the Senate, “the WikiLeaks Party will:
• Demand full, immediate public disclosure of the Rudd government’s PNG deal, including all details
of hosting, health resources, personnel, assessment and review processes, resettlement and postsettlement employment opportunities.
• Demand full access to asylum seekers held in detention for media, NGOs and human rights
organisations and agencies.
• Demand government accountability over treatment of asylum seekers, including support for:
o Reversal of the Rudd Government’s PNG arrangement.
o Processing of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by the Australian government.
o A cap of 45 days in immigration detention for any asylum seeker, for initial health and security
checks, with any extension requiring judicial approval.
o Requiring the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to report to Parliament every 6
months on its case load, processes, results and the health of detainees.
o Repeal of the excision of Australian territories from the migration zone.
• Demand accountability in the assessment of asylum claims, including:
o Opposing any legislative change to restrict or obfuscate the legal definition of a refugee.
o Ensuring the Refugee Review Tribunal is respected and adequately resourced as a judicial body,
able to assess facts independently and free from executive influence.
o Supporting measures to subject ASIO security assessments to comprehensive and expedient
judicial review, including rights of appeal for asylum seekers.
• Support measures to stem the flow of asylum seekers at the source, by working towards a foreign
policy based on human rights and international law, averting conflict from the outset.”
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
ACT Ungrouped – EZEKIEL-HART, Emmanuel – Independent
Website: http://voteindependentemmanuel.com/
If elected, Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart says he would “deal proactively with issues of our time, such as
immigration by sea causing death of innocent people fleeing from persecution and dangers of wars and
oppression. They must be tested in line with our international human rights obligations and not be given
the blanket label of ‘economic refugees’.”
NSW Group F - WHALAN, Andrew
Website: http://votewhalan.com/
“I believe in the rights of the individual; that includes anyone seeking asylum in our country. I believe
there is far too much xenophobia in the media and the truth behind the reason they are arriving to our
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country in such hazardous methods only serves to highlight the desperation with which they came. First,
I believe a cheaper processing method is key to asylum seekers. This can be achieved through a faster
processing system. Secondly, a basic understanding of our country, its language and the Australian
Values statement is essential before the asylum seekers are fully processed.”
NSW Group AG - WANG, Tom
Website: http://aaasenate.net/
Tom Wang does not articulate a refugee policy but says that he would “promote the creation of a new
visa category that will reward those who can demonstrate that they have added value to our economy.”
He says the current Significant Investor Visa misses out on many talented entrepreneurs who have
proven skills but do not have $5 million to invest. “We will promote the creation of a visa category
whereby prospective business migrants would invest $250,000 into a newly created Australian Social
Development Fund. This money will contribute to funding Australian hospitals, aged care, and
education. Following this initial investment, these visa holders will then have a two-year period in which
to demonstrate that they have either generated investment worth $2 million in Australia or concluded
exports worth $5 million. If they can achieve this, they will be granted permanent residency.”
NSW Ungrouped – POULSEN, Ron
A factory worker and member of the Communist League. No further information available.
NSW Ungrouped – ASH, David – Independent
Website: http://thejurisprude.net/images/stories/A%20manifesto.pdf
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
NSW Ungrouped – NATHAN, Sam – Independent
A chartered accountant. No further information available.
NSW Ungrouped – La MELA, John - Independent
A real estate agent. No further information available.
Qld Group C – KEIOSKIE, Peter
Website: http://qldsenate.net/
“Stop the boats – no queue jumping. Boat people should be returned to where they came from, if
unable to determine where that is, then they should spend as long in our detention centres as the legal
refugees have to wait in overseas immigration camps. Stronger deterrents are needed. The cost to the
Australian tax payer is well over a billion dollars and rising, while our education and defence budgets
are being cut back. More money needs to be spent deterring people from coming, not on processing
illegal immigrants.”
Qld Group U – RUDD, Greg
Website: http://www.gregrudd.com/
“As a general rule I believe, as when you visit someone’s home for the first time, you come through the
front door not the back door. It’s the polite thing to do. The money boat people pay to people smugglers
could easily pay for airfares into Australia through the front door. Many don’t do this because they are
economic refugees who simply want to jump the queue. All are instructed by people smugglers to throw
away passports and documentation to heighten their chances of being accepted as refugees. This is
another case where we need to be cruel to be kind. Our refugee intake should be taken from UN
monitored waiting lists. If it means turning back boats so be it. I see little point in locking up refugees
for years while they are being processed. This costs too much money and leads to unnecessary
resentment toward Australia from potential future residents. We should keep refugees in their family
groups and use them as a low paid workforce while they are processed.”
SA Group I – GREEN, Ribnga
Website: http://ribngagreen.com/
Ribnga Green says on his website that he “believes that:
• You do not have to be poor to want better conditions for the poor;
• You do not have to be an asylum seeker to believe anyone seeking asylum should still be treated
compassionately in Australian society;
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• You do not have to be an Aboriginal person to want better outcomes for Aboriginal people.”
The other candidate in Ribnga Green’s team is Zita Adut Deng Ngor, an Australian South Sudanese
woman of refugee background who is a lawyer and director of a community legal centre.
SA Group L – MIEGLICH, Dianah
Website: http://www.dianahmieglich.com.au/
“We believe that the only way to fairly treat those fleeing persecution in foreign lands is to employ and
work with a social justice system and ideal which is devoted to human rights. We believe that those
genuinely seeking asylum in Australia should have their human rights upheld and that those seeking
asylum in our community receive the support and opportunities they need to live independently.” If
elected, Dianah Mieglich would call for the major parties “to stop hiding behind policies that are often
media driven and are devoid of treating genuine asylum seekers with dignity or respect”. She would
advocate for onshore processing, propose that asylum seekers be required to spend at least two years
in a regional area to assist their transition to Australian society and seek greater accountability for the
treatment of asylum seekers in detention. She opposes the detention of children.
SA Ungrouped – COCHRANE, Christopher Mark – Independent
Website: http://www.cochrane4senate.com/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
SA Ungrouped – WEAVER, Robert – Independent
A retired dental surgeon. No further information available.
Tas Ungrouped – ROBERTS, Andrew – Tas
Website: http://truegreen.info/about.html
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
Vic Group T – TOSCANO, Joseph
Website: http://anarchistmedia.org/
Joseph Toscano has not articulated a refugee policy for the 2013 election. However, in a previous
election campaign, he said Australia “must stop relying on immigration programs that put the interests
of skilled overseas workers before people living in Australia, the family reunion program and refugees
seeking asylum in Australia”.8
Vic Group AJ – NICHOLLS, Bob
Website: http://www.bobnicholls.com.au/
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
Vic Ungrouped – GUNTER, Lyn – Independent
Website: http://www.lyngunter.com.au/senate_campaign/index.html
No declared policies relating to refugees and asylum seekers.
Vic Ungrouped – MORRISON, Darrell Scott – Independent
Website: http://aussieindependent.com/
Darrell Morrison believes current government strategies in response to the flow of boat arrivals are
cruel and ineffective. He proposes that Australia and cooperating transit countries like Indonesia could
provide assessment commissions so that asylum seekers can have their cases heard and have
paperwork assessed in safety and comfort in host countries. Asylum seekers should not be detained in
“camp jail compounds”. People who are assessed as being refugees can be brought safely to Australia
with some added conditions. If refugee status is granted, a refugee could apply for temporary
citizenship and commence a graded journey to full citizenship. This journey may include regional
residency, training and employment. “Refugees would not be simply allowed to throng in metropolitan
areas nor would there be an excuse for extended family resettlement.”
8
http://anarchistmedia.org/pdf/Vote-1-Joseph-Toscano-Literature-BW.pdf
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