01/03/2026
Passionate, reasoned arguments why we should end offshore processing and respect the human rights of people.
46 submissions so far recorded on the Inquiry into Offshore processing and resettlement arrangements website.
The submission from the Society of St Vincent de Paul highlights what it means for people in Port Moresby
… On one visit late last year (o)ur member found all greatly traumatised by their thirteen years of mistreatment, with eight so sick that they are unable to ever live there independently. The other twenty also have significant health issues from living for over a decade in a country with very limited specialist care. But for them the major concern is safety, particularly for their families.
For foreigners in Port Moresby, the only hope of living with some safety there is to have homes in gated
communities, which are beyond the means of men on their current allowances and on any income that they
might earn from any low-paid jobs they could get. (Submission 34)
People’s experiences on Nauru are raised in many submissions including from Judith:
…I belong to a group called Bayside Refugee Advocacy and Support Group and we cover the area of Goldstein. Over the last four years we have been helping a man who had the most terrible experience whilst an asylum seeker on Nauru. He was run over by a group of Naruans who not only drove over him in their car but then reversed and ran over him again! As a result of this he has had over 20 major operations, is in constant pain, can hardly walk and has been told by doctors he will never be well enough to work. The locals are, on the whole, quite hostile to A/Seekers and Refugees who worry that they will try and take their jobs, food and women. (Submission 40)
And another Judith, member/secretary of the Hamilton Area RAR (Rural Australians for Refugees) notes that we can expect more refugees and need a better solution.
. Let this debacle of outsourcing administration of the accommodation of refugees be an opportunity to set up a good system that respects human rights and is in line with International Law. (Submission 41)
Ballarat RAR’s submission is No.4. We wait to see what the committee will say on 1 June 2026.
Image: Extract of Judith’s submission laid over a photo (taken March 2017) of Mt Abrupt, Dunkeld, Grampians
