The new Rudd Labor government’s record so far on refugees will come under the spotlight at a high level forum in Melbourne as part of Refugee Week 2008.

The forum comes amid concern among refugee advocates that Australia’s policies under Labor continue to contravene the Refugee Convention and abuse the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers. This is despite important progress on issues like Temporary Protection Visas and the closure of the Nauru detention centre.

Major concerns include the ongoing commitment to mandatory detention, and the new Christmas Island Detention Centre, where asylum seekers could be held for long periods of time without ready access to legal advice and community support services.

The continued use of the Bridging Visa E, which provides temporary protection, but denies people the right to work and denies access to Centrelink payments, Medicare and housing support leaves people entirely dependent on charity, and in ‘limbo’ while their claims for refugee status are assessed – which can be for years in some cases.

The processes to determine the refugee status of those seeking asylum need to be greatly improved to ensure that claims are dealt with fairly, thoroughly, and without undue delay. Improved determination processes are needed to reduce reliance on Ministerial discretion and reduce the risk of asylum seekers being sent back to places where they are in danger.

The forum’s host Tracee Hutchison, Age columnist and broadcaster, and various other high-profile speakers will examine the Labor Government’s record on refugees and human rights so far. Speakers will map out the principles for a new refugee policy agenda in the post-Howard era.

Julian Burnside QC, prominent human rights lawyer and president of Liberty Victoria, will discuss Australia’s current approach to refugee policy in terms of the basic principles of human rights.

Paris Aristotle, director of Foundation House, will count the continuing cost of Howard-era policies on refugees, both in detention and in the community.

Michelle Foster, Director of the Centre for Refugee Law at Melbourne University, will look at how instruments such as a bill of rights could be used to ensure that the human of refugees and asylum seekers are protected.

The forum has been organised by Multicultural Arts Victoria, in association with the Refugee Action Collective, Refugee Council of Australia, Hotham Mission, National Council of Churches, Researchers for Asylum Seekers, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and A Just Australia.

The forum will also feature performances by the acclaimed Gambian musician, Jali Buba Kuyateh.

David Sparkes