‘The beauty of immigration’: Inside Khawaja’s heartfelt mission for change By Nick Wright SMH

“When I hear immigration getting blamed for the housing crisis, which I fundamentally know is not true – housing prices went through the roof when no immigrants were coming through in COVID – it disappoints me because I think Australia was built on the back of immigration,” he says.

“Unless you’re First Nations or a person of Aboriginal descent, we’re all immigrants in one way or another. I think Australia’s greatest asset is its immigrant community who’ve come into Australia, contributed to Australia and contributed to make it such a great country.

‘The beauty of immigration’: Inside Khawaja’s heartfelt mission for change. By Nick Wright SMH

ICC's plan for exiled Afghan women's cricket team exciting but unclear, advocate says. By Henry Hanson & Daniela Intili, ABC News

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a task force and fund for the exiled Afghan women's cricket team now residing in Australia. Specifics of the initiative remain unclear, but the cricket boards of Australia, England and India will provide "meaningful support" to Afghan players.

Dr Catherine Ordway, a key figure in the team's relocation to Australia, is hopeful the fund will match the sum currently given to the Afghan men's team.


ICC's plan for exiled Afghan women's cricket team exciting but unclear, advocate says. By Henry Hanson & Daniela Intili, ABC News

Dutton says Coalition wouldn't cut Australia's 'important' annual parent visa intake. By Sara Tomevska & Cameron Carr, SBS News

The Coalition has pledged to cut permanent migration by 45,000 places per year, but Peter Dutton says parent visa numbers wouldn't be reduced.

Immigration minister Tony Burke told SBS the Coalition’s proposed cuts to permanent migration were "reckless" and the pledge to not cut parent visas would mean deeper cuts would be made to the skilled visa category.

Dutton says Coalition wouldn't cut Australia's 'important' annual parent visa intake. By Sara Tomevska & Cameron Carr, SBS News

Pakistan expels 80,000 Afghans in two weeks amid crackdown on undocumented migrants By Libby Hogan, ABC News

Thousands of Afghans who have lived in Pakistan for years — some for decades —are being forced to return to a homeland they describe as unsafe, economically crippled, and socially repressive under Taliban rule.

Many cite fears over limited job prospects, insecurity, and the Taliban's ongoing restrictions on women, particularly the ban on girls' education.

Pakistan expels 80,000 Afghans in two weeks amid crackdown on undocumented migrants By Libby Hogan, ABC News

Dandenong housing crisis leaves refugee families at risk of homelessness. By Sacha Payne, ABC News

In 2022, the federal government announced it would provide 31,500 places for Afghan nationals through the humanitarian and family visa programs, saying it "reflected a sustained commitment following Australia's two decades of operations in the country".

The allocation included 26,500 places for Afghan nationals within the humanitarian program to 2026.

Nearly 7,000 people from that program have come to Victoria, home to Australia's largest Afghan diaspora.

Many have gravitated to Dandenong, where there is a large existing community who speak Afghan languages like Dari and Pashto.

But they are increasingly falling through the cracks.

Dandenong housing crisis leaves refugee families at risk of homelessness. By Sacha Payne, ABC News

Belonging Nowhere: How hard is it to feel like you belong in Australia? SBS News Podcast series (Season 1 : Episode 2)

Many stateless people are displaced around the world, attempting to find somewhere they can call home. Their journeys can often take a heavy toll, as they deal with traumatic experiences, or need to hid their true identities as a persecuted minority. In this second episode of 'Belonging Nowhere' we’ll hear some of the many stories of how people from different stateless backgrounds come to Australia – and the difficulties they’ve faced trying to make a home.

Some listeners may find some of this content distressing


Belonging Nowhere: How hard is it to feel like you belong in Australia? SBS News Podcast series: Season 1 Episode 2

Petro Georgiou, the ‘conscience of the Liberal Party’, dies at 77. By Tony Wright, SMH

He refused an early offer to join Howard’s frontbench, making it clear he put a higher value on exercising his freedom to oppose the party’s hardline policies, particularly towards asylum seekers.

As member for the blue ribbon Melbourne electorate of Kooyong – famously the seat of his old political hero, Liberal Party founder Sir Robert Menzies, and now held by a teal – Georgiou was a voice for diversity and considered a champion of Indigenous Australians, underdogs and outsiders.

In mid-2006, Georgiou joined fellow Liberals of the time Russell Broadbent and Judi Moylan to cross the floor and vote against Howard’s legislation that would force all asylum seekers to be processed offshore.

Petro Georgiou, the ‘conscience of the Liberal Party’, dies at 77. By Tony Wright, SMH

Don't demonise asylum seekers, human rights groups warn politicians. By Olivia Caisley, ABC News

A coalition of refugee and human rights organisations has written to the leaders of the major parties, urging them to avoid dog-whistling and sowing division throughout the federal election campaign.

Signed by more than 30 groups, including Amnesty International and the Asylum Seekers Centre, the letter warns against using immigrants and asylum seekers as a political football and urges that these groups be treated with respect.

"Political debate — both during and outside election campaigns — has often seen people seeking asylum become the target of unacceptable rhetoric, often describing refugees and people seeking asylum in a degrading and hostile manner," the letter reads.

"This is a poor reflection on how Australia is perceived internationally and undermines our proud record as a truly multicultural nation and as a leader in refugee resettlement and protection principles."

Don't demonise asylum seekers, human rights groups warn politicians. By Olivia Caisley, ABC News

International students not to blame for rising rents, Australian study finds. By Conor Duffy, ABC News

There is no link between international student numbers and the cost of rent, according to the findings of a new Australian study that examined rental data between 2017 and 2024.

A record number of 849,113 international students studied in Australia in 2024, with some politicians claiming this contributed to a rental crisis.

What’s next?

The study's conclusion has been supported by the Property Council of Australia and a former senior public servant, while the university sector has warned politicians against cutting international student numbers.

International students not to blame for rising rents, Australian study finds. By Conor Duffy, ABC News

Coalition accused of ‘exploiting racial issues’ after proposing antisemitism questions on citizenship test. By Krishani Dhanji, The Guardian

The opposition has been accused of “pitting” community groups against each other and using the Jewish community for political purposes, in suggesting citizenship tests should include questions on antisemitism.

The Australian National Imams Council told Guardian Australia the proposal raises “significant concerns” and divides communities rather than bringing them together.

Coalition accused of ‘exploiting racial issues’ after proposing antisemitism questions on citizenship test. By Krishani Dhanji, The Guardian

What antisemitism questions could would-be citizens face? One country offers some clues. By Ewa Staszewska, SBS News

Would-be Australians may have to answer questions about antisemitism to gain citizenship if the Coalition forms government in May. The Coalition has revealed it will add new questions to the citizenship test to gauge attitudes towards Jewish people as it proposes ways to address growing security concerns.

The plan follows similar changes to Germany's citizenship test in 2024 amid a rise in antisemitic attacks.

Dr Hass Dellal, executive director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, welcomes a change but said the question should cover all forms of racism.
What antisemitism questions could would-be citizens face? One country offers some clues. By Ewa Staszewska, SBS News

Regional Australia needs more workers to rebuild after disasters like Alfred. Skilled refugees could help. By Sally Baker & Louise Oliff, The Conversation

Already it was hard to find people with the necessary skills to undertake infrastructure maintenance. Now people affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred are joining long wait lists for electricians, plumbers, builders and other services……………

……………Highly skilled refugees have told us the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot has helped them regain a foothold in their careers, and rebuild their and their children’s lives, while also helping meet regional skills shortages.

Programs matching skilled refugees with employers and regions desperate for skilled workers can be a win-win.

Regional Australia needs more workers to rebuild after disasters like Alfred. Skilled refugees could help. By Sally Baker & Louise Oliff, The Conversation

PM promises a positive election campaign amid concerns of safety and polarisation, SBS News

In the run-up to this year's federal election, issues of community safety, polarisation and faltering social cohesion are coming to the fore. Advocates say migrant and refugee communities are feeling increasing division, and fear they will experience the affects of that in a federal election campaign.

PM promises a positive election campaign amid concerns of safety and polarisation, SBS News

Australian immigration and the federal election By Peter Hughes, P&I

The Albanese Government has done a reasonable job in repairing the immigration train wreck it inherited from the Coalition. However, excessive caution and fear of being wedged has severely limited its achievements. In the forthcoming election, the Dutton Opposition can be expected to be short on policy, but to stoke up fears about border security and foreigners. He will borrow from the nasty Trump playbook when convenient. Australia deserves better immigration policy and administration.

Australian immigration and the federal election By Peter Hughes, P&I