Stop Labor shutting the door on safety

UPDATE: Last Thursday, Minister Burke confirmed our worst fears at the National Press Club: the fight for safety and fairness is not over. 

He refused to rule out a deadline on seeking asylum, or stripping work rights from people seeking protection. Further legislation is coming when Parliament returns and we have a small window to stop it.

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The Albanese Government is reportedly planning to prevent people from seeking asylum unless they apply within months of arriving in Australia, potentially within just 30 days.

This is urgent. Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor are meeting to stitch up a deal that could dismantle Australia’s protection system.

If introduced, Australia could become the only country in the world with such an extreme deadline. Even the United States gives people a year to apply.

A person does not stop being a refugee because they missed an arbitrary government deadline.

People may be unable to apply immediately because they are traumatised, cannot speak English, are trapped in exploitation or domestic violence, or cannot access an overstretched legal service. Others may only become unsafe after arriving because war breaks out or circumstances in their country change.

The proposal comes alongside a raft of other reported changes that could strip work rights, weaken appeal rights and make it harder for migrant and refugee families to stay together.

We have a small window to stop these changes. Email your Labor representative now.