In the next few weeks and before the Farrer by-election, the Albanese Government will likely consider a cabinet submission on the 26-27 migration program. Abdul Rizvi, a former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration, helped develop a decade’s worth of migration Cabinet submissions between 1995 and 2006. But none would have been as difficult to draft as the one for 2026-27.
Mother-of-three faces deportation after decade-old visa mistake. By Daniel Pizarro & Sydney Lang, SBS News
A local South Australian community is rallying around for a woman who could be deported to Taiwan in less than a fortnight, leaving behind her husband and 3 young children.Ying-Hsi Chou is pleading with Immigration Minister Tony Burke to allow her to stay in Murray Bridge, after being told she breached her visa over a decade ago.
Why Iran makes Pauline Hanson more dangerous. By Marcia Langton, The Saturday Paper
Two events in March appear to be only tangentially related, yet their coincidence caused me great consternation. First, the United States and Israel commenced military operations against Iran, stating that their goal was to destroy its nuclear and missile capabilities, eliminate threats to Israel, and pursue regime change. In the same month, the election in South Australia resulted in several lower house seats and one upper house seat being won by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
Why Iran makes Pauline Hanson more dangerous. By Marcia Langton, The Saturday Paper
Former ICE detainee says detention center conditions are like a ‘dungeon’. Interview by Stephanie Ramos, ABC News (USA)
Palestinian activist Leqaa Kordia spoke with ABC News’ Stephanie Ramos to detail the conditions she says she experienced while detained by ICE and DHS at Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas, USA.
Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference. By Jack Waterford, Pearls & Irritations
At a time of diminished political leadership, the legacy of Fred Hollows and Michael Johnson shows what practical, principled internationalism can achieve.
Iranian tourist ban doesn’t align with the ‘Australian values’ Hedieh signed up to as a citizen. By Adeshola Ore and Sarah Basford Canales, The Guardian
Jamshidian, who has lived in Australia for eight years, says the government’s decision makes the country feel like a “home that doesn’t support you”.
“The Australian government was so quick to support this illegal war and shockingly quick to ban Iranian people who might have wanted to shelter from this war temporarily somewhere safer,” she says.
“I don’t feel this is aligned with the ‘Australian values’ I committed to when I was granted Australian citizenship, such as ‘equality of all people’ and ‘equality of opportunity and a fair go’.”
Australia wasting migrant talent on an 'industrial scale', former Treasury secretary says. By Gareth Hutchens, ABC News
Australia is wasting the skills of highly qualified permanent migrants by taking too long to recognise their qualifications.
We need to overhaul our skills recognition system to help highly qualified workers fill critical skills shortages, experts say.
Martin Parkinson, a former Treasury secretary, says that as Australia faces the risk of stagflation, these reforms would help to boost our record-low labour productivity growth and combat rising inflation.
Different beliefs, shared humanity: why so many Australians celebrate diverse religious festivals. By Dellaram Vreeland, The Guardian
Faith Communities Council of Victoria multi faith officer Sandy Kouroupidis says there is a growing tendency for people who do not formally identify with a religion to attend religious festivals and community observances.
“In Victoria, we are seeing increasing curiosity about cultural and spiritual traditions, particularly during major festivals such as Ramadan iftars, Diwali celebrations and Passover meals,” he says.
“Many of these events are now intentionally welcoming to the broader public. Faith communities themselves are inviting neighbours, colleagues and local leaders to participate as a gesture of hospitality and relationship-building.”
National migrant worker scheme uncovers 'shocking' exploitation in first year of operation. By Isobel Roe & Melinda Hayter, ABC News
A national program protecting the rights of migrant workers has uncovered millions in unpaid wages, threats of visa cancellation and modern slavery.
In NSW, $1.35 million in potential unpaid wage claims have been identified, while in Victoria, $236,000 has been recovered for migrant workers.
Audio: Are refugees still welcome in regional Australia? Sunday Extra, ABC Radio National
With the rise of popularity of One Nation with rural and regional Australians, what is the effect on refugees who have settled in regional areas? Do they feel welcomed and supported in their communities?
Our guest,Associate Professor Natascha Klocker, shares insights from her multi-year study "Settling Well investigates the impacts of refugee settlement in regional Australia".
Guest: Natascha Klocker, social geographer, study lead and Interim Head of School, Social Sciences at the University of Wollongong
Audio: Are refugees still welcome in regional Australia? Sunday Extra, ABC Radio National
Warnings about possible unintended consequences of Iran visitor ban. By Wing Kuang, SBS
Professor Daniel Ghezelbash, the Director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of New South Wales, says the law is not fair.
"I think it's important to point out that the government already had powers to cancel visas in circumstances where they thought people weren't genuine temporary entrance and intended to stay here. But importantly, that had to be done on an individual case by case basis, with an individual assessment of each case. And what this new law does, it allows the government to declare large cohorts, and it's very, very vague in terms of what those codes could be, was to be as broad as an entire nationality and suspend their visas without any individual assessment of that case. I don't think that is fair."
Professor Ghezelbash says the law and the new ban on Iranian visitor visa holders can sets a precedent in Australia's migration system.
"It brings just a level of arbitrariness in our decision making. And when someone goes through the process of applying for a visa, they pay their fees. They meet all the requirements of that visa. Often, they book in their travel, they pay for accommodation, they pay for their flights. And now this sends a signal that no none of that matters. At any moment the Australian Government can declare that you are unable to travel here, and I think that sets a precedent of arbitrariness and potential unfairness in our system."
Warnings about possible unintended consequences of Iran visitor ban. By Wing Kuang, SBS
Australia refuses to say how many Chinese nationals are arriving by boat, saying it may damage bilateral relations. By Wing Kuang, The Guardian
….Indonesian police in the southernmost province of East Nusa Tenggara allege a growing number of attempts by Chinese nationals to organise boat journeys to Australia.
In mid 2025, the East Nusa Tenggara police revealed they arrested four Chinese nationals allegedly trying to reach Australia by boat in Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara.
After 14 years in visa limbo, Ferdos felt conflicted as Iran’s soccer team gained asylum. AAP, SBS News
Ferdos had mixed emotions when Australia granted Iran's soccer players asylum — relief at their safety but confused at her own visa application being in limbo for 14 years.
The 23-year-old Iranian refugee was sent to Nauru when she was 10, and spent five years in detention with her family before she was transferred to Australia in 2018 with her brother, when they were unwell.
She completed high school in Australia and works as an employment caseworker, but her own situation remains volatile.
"What about me?" The other refugees living in limbo for years. Ferdos, Iranian refugee & Professor Daniel Ghezelbash, The ABC Radio National Hour
Why can some people be granted humanitarian protection in a day while for others it can take more than a decade?
Social cohesion has lost its feelgood vibe. What will it take to offer a fair go for all? By Julianne Schultz, The Guardian
For many people in Australia, social cohesion has lost its feelgood vibe.
Now, the term provokes cynicism, confusion – even anger. Some hear social consensus or social conformity. No dissent allowed. It doesn’t yet come with an embedded action plan grounded in the distinctively Australian commitment to a fair go.
Despite several inquiries and overwhelming public support we still have no national human rights act that would level the playing field for everyone.
Migrants say new laws stopping temporary migration from war-torn countries 'a slap in the face'. By Doug Dingwall and Sally Brooks, ABC News
Iranians in Australia have criticised new laws that will let the government block the arrival of temporary visa holders from war-torn countries.
The federal government says the laws will protect the "integrity and sustainability" of Australia's immigration system.
Home Affairs officials have flagged that people in Iran with temporary visas for Australia are most likely to be affected by the changes.
Another High Court rebuke on immigration laws – and a warning on rushed policymaking, Greg Barns, P&I
Law making should be considered. Governments should not rush the process unless there is an immediate major threat to the community.
The problem with knee-jerk legal responses to a perceived ‘problem’ is that one, there is often shoddy drafting of the law, and two, governments sometimes ignore the advice of their bureaucrats and legal advisers and are running the gauntlet of the High Court.
I have heard political types say that if the High Court strikes down a contentious law then they can blame the court!
One upside however is that we have a robust court system. Executive and legislative excess can be challenged. The system worked this week.
'Sells false hope': MP scolds migration lawyers over humanitarian cases. By Anna Henderson, SBS News
The assistant minister for citizenship, Julian Hill, describes Australia’s humanitarian refugee program as "overwhelmed with impossible levels of global demand that Australia cannot meet".
"Even with the government’s decision to increase capacity over four years to 20,000 places annually, recognising the special commitment to Afghan refugees, the vast majority of applications are ultimately rejected."
'Sells false hope': MP scolds migration lawyers over humanitarian cases. By Anna Henderson, SBS News
'A piece of living history': How Greek milk bars changed the way Australians meet and eat. By Sandra Fulloon, SBS News
In the remote NSW town of Broken Hill, Bells Milk Bar is stirring up history and a little nostalgia with every soda.
Its art deco memorabilia, vintage signage, and classic counter service whisk visitors back to another era, stretching to the late 1800s. For those who come through the door, it's a taste of history as much as a taste of fizzy cordial.
Editorial SMH - Time for government to lift its game on Iranian refugees
A strong case is emerging for Australia to do more to support decent Iranians who want to stay and contribute. This should be a holistic package which covers Iranian refugees who have been in limbo in Australia for up to 13 years, as well as those who either recently arrived or had planned to. Like the Abbott and Morrison decisions in 2015 and 2022, this support should be in addition to the standard humanitarian intake, and not come from within it.
The Herald urges the government and others in the debate to not confuse this issue with the broader tensions around Australia’s immigration levels.
Editorial SMH - Time for government to lift its game on Iranian refugees