Budget delivers mixed messages on rights
13 May 2009, 01:37PM
Amnesty International welcomes initiatives in the Federal Budget that reaffirm the government’s ongoing commitment to humane treatment of individuals seeking asylum in Australia.
In particular, Amnesty International welcomes the $77.4 million initiative that will help prevent asylum seekers becoming destitute in the community, including health and welfare support for those in exceptional circumstances. As well, the $186.3 million allocated over five years for the refurbishment of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre is long overdue.
Amnesty International also welcomes the government’s ongoing commitment to its offshore humanitarian program. The announcement of an additional 750 places under the Special Humanitarian Program sends a strong message internationally that resettlement must be part of any effective solution for people stranded in camps overseas or at immediate risk in conflict areas.
The Federal Budget also includes $654 million to combat people smuggling. Amnesty International has consistently condemned the practice of people smuggling, which targets the world’s most vulnerable people. We agree that the Australian Government must work closely with Indonesia and other countries in our region to prevent such activity.
“The Government is taking measures to make it more difficult for asylum seekers to enter the country, while at the same time allocating more resources to make sure that those people who do arrive on our shores are treated humanely,” said Dr Graham Thom, Amnesty International Australia’s Refugee Coordinator. “We maintain that anyone seeking asylum in Australia must be treated equitably and humanely, as prescribed by Australia’s international obligations.”
In relation to the Government’s Official Development Assistance, Amnesty International welcomes maintenance of its commitment to increase Australia's aid funding to 0.5 percent of Gross National Income by 2015-16, through an increase of $152.9 million in this year's Budget. However, it must be noted that Australia's medium-term target of 0.5 percent of GNI still falls significantly short of the internationally agreed target of 0.7 percent of GNI by 2015.
Amnesty International is concerned that the Federal Budget has failed to provide additional resources to address violence against women. The current allocation leaves Australia well short of international benchmarks in this vital area.
Current Federal funding to specifically address violence against women, with $75 million included in Government spending over four years, is significantly below comparable international standards.
“We estimate that, in order to adequately resource the recently announced National Plan of Action, the Australian Government would need to commit to $120 million over the next four years to match the average funding of European countries,” said Andrew Beswick, Campaigns Manager for Amnesty International Australia.
The plan’s funding must include additional resources for services to women experiencing violence, in addition to the announced social marketing and hotline programs, so that services can cope with an anticipated greater demand arising from new prevention programs.
Amnesty International welcomes the introduction of a Paid Parental Leave into the Budget. In its 2008 submission to the Productivity Commission, the organisation called for the introduction of such a scheme, arguing that improving women’s economic independence would assist in addressing the issue of domestic violence.
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Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
Narendra Mohan Kommalapati
18 May 2009, 11:20AM
The Director of Public Presucution of NSW Nicholas Codrey has described the recent “anti-bikie” laws as moving towrads a police state. A NSW minister has in effect describes Mr Cowdrey as ignorant of the legislation. Going by the experience of protestors at Sydney, the treatment of Dr Haneef and the “terror” trial of Tamilians, fears of police highnadedness are not unfounded.
Amnesty should take a stand on opposing the NSW laws. And Mr Rudd has maintained a marked silence on the issue.
Christine Sorensen
16 May 2009, 10:46PM
$654Million WOW!!!
My family is about to loose everything because of Australia’s financial crisis.
Can I have just $1Million to save my family??????
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