Why this migrant newspaper is still thriving — a century later. By Alexandra Jones & Mikele Syron, SBS News

The Greek Herald is marking 100 years of serving Australia's Greek community. Despite changes in format, the newspaper has continued to be an important source of connection for its readers.

For relatives back home, the paper was a powerful symbol of possibility, historical researcher Janiszewski says, showing that a Greek community could thrive on the other side of the world. "What it was telling them was not just simply that there was a community here, but there was a community in which you had churches, a community where you could go to a Greek barber, you could go to a Greek shop, you could go to a Greek store," he tells SBS News. "And that stimulated further chain migration."

Why this migrant newspaper is still thriving — a century later. By Alexandra Jones & Mikele Syron, SBS News

Australia needs a broader vision of social cohesion. By Vasiliki Nihas Bogiatzis, P&I

Drawing on a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion from the Group of Six (Vasiliki Nihas Bogiatzis OAM, Marie Coleman AO PSM, Helen L’Orange AM, Steve Mark AM, Christopher Scarf and Jozefa Sobski AM), Vasiliki Nihas Bogiatzis argues Australia needs a broader understanding of social cohesion grounded in fairness, rights, belonging and democratic trust.

Informed by Australian and international evidence, including case studies in interfaith dialogue, community relations and facilitated dialogue, the submission urges the Commission to consider: ……………………..

That the Commission recommend legislating a Human Rights Act as a central structural reform, addressing systemic gaps in rights protection and strengthening what Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser described as “fraying social cohesion,” with consideration given to incorporating a Multicultural Act within it.

​That the study of Multiculturalism in Australia be incorporated within the school civics curriculum.

Bondi continues to confront our sense of national identity. Yet it also produced a powerful symbol of multicultural success. Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian Muslim, wrestled a weapon from one of the gunmen, was shot twice, and likely saved countless lives.

Our capacity to prioritise shared humanity above religious difference and ideology speaks to who we are as Australians.

Australia needs a broader vision of social cohesion. By Vasiliki Nihas Bogiatzis, P&I

Chinese Australians lash Coalition proposal to block non-citizens from welfare services. By Samantha Dick, ABC News

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor used his budget reply speech to announce a Coalition government would block non-citizens from accessing 17 welfare programs.

Critics say the proposal will unfairly target permanent migrants from China and India, who are forced to give up citizenship in their home country to become Australian citizens.

Chinese Australians lash Coalition proposal to block non-citizens from welfare services. By Samantha Dick, ABC News

The rules-based order is breaking down before our eyes. By Gillian Triggs, P&I

…Yet another global humanitarian crisis is the plight of the estimated 130 million people under UNHCR’s mandate, refugees and people forcibly displaced and seeking protection across national borders or are displaced within their own countries.

These rising movements of people forcibly displaced compound trends to extreme populist nationalism, prompting denial of refugee protection and anti-migration demands, now a leading political issue globally, including in Australia…..

The rules-based order is breaking down before our eyes. By Gillian Triggs, P&I

Federal Budget 2026-27: Priorities and impacts for refugees and asylum seekers. By Dr Claire Higgins, UNSW

The Kaldor Centre has consistently given evidence that Australia’s offshore detention and processing system ‘is not a necessary, effective or sustainable measure’ for deterring boat arrivals. Despite this, spending in this area continues to grow.

Total funding for the offshore regime reached $13.35 billion between 2012 and 2025.  This year’s budget brings that figure to $14.35 billion.

While $581 million was initially allocated for 2025-2026, actual spending is now expected to exceed  $971 million – ‘an enormous increase’ of almost $400 million in a budget item that involves ‘supporting the implementation of regional processing and resettlement arrangements between Australia and partner countries’. Sector organisations have described this as a ‘massive cost blowout’.

For 2026-27, offshore processing is estimated to cost just over $605 million….

Federal Budget 2026-27: Priorities and impacts for refugees and asylum seekers. By Dr Claire Higgins, UNSW

Op-ed: Foreign refugee displacement in Iran : A growing humanitarian and international crisis. By Pia Cho, IR Insider

……many Afghan refugees have been purged out of Iran, the majority of whom have attempted to journey back to their home country. Afghanistan, however, is in no position to receive them. With already 64% of the population living in multidimensional poverty following the recent takeover of the Taliban, Afghanistan is considered one of the poorest countries in the world, and simply does not possess the resources necessary to support a torrent of exhausted refugees. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative, Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, “families returning through Islam Qala will move onwards to communities where basic services are already under pressure,” spoken at a press briefing on March 10; “Any significant increase in returns would place additional strain on health, nutrition, water and child protection services that children and families rely on.” 

While Afghanistan continues to reluctantly accept its nationals, other countries do not. Countries such as Turkey and Pakistan are actively taking precautionary measures, such as the prohibition of open-door immigration policies and border sealing processes, to avoid widespread resource depletion that has been seen to cause national strain. Absorbing a massive wave of refugees is already costly; however, considering President Trump’s recent humanitarian aid cuts, along with war-related pressures, countries can only rely on their own current resources and state of infrastructure to provide for the return of their nationals. 

Op-ed: Foreign Refugee Displacement in Iran: A Growing Humanitarian and International Crisis. By Pia Cho, IR Insider

Coalition considers plan to slash net overseas immigration by nearly half its current rate, leaked document reveals. By Dan Jervis-Bardy, The Guardian

“As the leader has said, on migration the numbers have been too high and the standards have been too low,” the spokesperson said.

“We have announced the first instalment of our Australian Values First Migration Plan and will have more to say over the term.

“We are considering the full range of options because migration must be at a level Australia can absorb, with enough homes, services and social cohesion to support it.”

Taylor last month unveiled the first planks of an immigration policy that is designed to discriminate against people who didn’t subscribe to “Australian values”.

Coalition considers plan to slash net overseas immigration by nearly half its current rate, leaked document reveals. By Dan Jervis-Bardy, The Guardian

Opinion: If Bikram Lama were alive today, we still couldn’t guarantee him a way out of homelessness. By Erin Longbottom, The Guardian

It’s long past time for Australia’s tertiary institutions to live up to their duty of care for the international students they attract.

In the outpouring of community grief that followed Guardian Australia’s story about Bikram Lama, a comment by a colleague really hit home: The reality is that, even if I met Bikram right now, I still couldn’t guarantee him a way off the street. And it’s true.

Despite the genuine sadness and goodwill behind the thousands of social media comments, likes and shares – the urge to help that symbolises so much of what is great and good about the Australian character – most aspects of our crisis support system remain closed off to people like Bikram who are non-residents.

If Bikram had a pathway out of homelessness, he might still be alive.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Opinion : If Bikram Lama were alive today, we still couldn’t guarantee him a way out of homelessness. By Erin Longbottom, The Guardian

Islamic State wives’ return is no threat, but our cruelty to their kids is shameful. By Ben Saul , SMH

For years, the United States, Syria, security professionals and human rights experts have all urged Australia to bring their nationals home. Unlike Syria, Australia is peaceful, has a strong legal system, a professional and well-resourced national security sector, and comprehensive social services. Even the ASIO director-general has stated that he is not concerned by their return, but will keep a watchful eye on them…..

…..But I have been profoundly shocked by the callous indifference of politicians on both sides to the plight of innocent Australian child victims of child abuse. Politicians have done everything possible to exile them from their own country, and to leave them indefinitely detained in insurgent prisons under violent, cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions.

To be clear, this has also perpetuated the terrorist risk to the world. It has exposed people to risks of terrorist radicalisation among hard-core Islamic State detainees, while prison breaks over the years have seen thousands of potential risks disappear into the wind.

Islamic State wives’ return is no threat, but our cruelty to their kids is shameful. By Ben Saul , SMH

Ailin is a regular teenager but she holds a weight most adults would struggle to carry, A Current Affair, Channel Nine

Ailin's parents fled Iran in 2013, with their then three-year-old daughter.

Forced to flee following threats to their lives, they boarded a boat bound for Australia.

It was a time when nearly 17,000 people had made that perilous journey in the months before Ailin and her family, some died trying.

The Rudd government wanted to stop people smugglers.

The new law stated that if you come by boat without a visa and you're processed offshore, you can never permanently call Australia home.

Ailin is a regular teenager but she holds a weight most adults would struggle to carry. A Current Affair, Channel Nine

What we know about the ISIS-linked Australian families in Syria. By correspondent Bridget Rollason in Jerusalem, Cherine Yazbeck and Baderkhan Ahmad, The Guardian

Four Australian women, their children and grandchildren are stuck in limbo in Syria after leaving a refugee camp housing family members of suspected Islamic State fighters.

Last week the group left the Al Roj camp in north-east Syria with the goal of heading to the capital, Damascus, and flying home to Australia.

But after Syrian authorities said they prevented the group from reaching the airport because of strong rhetoric from the Australian government, it is unclear what their next moves will be.

The ABC can reveal the group includes three generations of the same family.

Here is what we know about them.

What we know about the ISIS-linked Australian families in Syria. By correspondent Bridget Rollason in Jerusalem, Cherine Yazbeck and Baderkhan Ahmad, The Guardian

Tony Burke says migrants are the ‘solution, not the problem’, defends pre-election citizenship ceremonies. By Frank Chung, News.com.au

Tony Burke has declared immigration, particularly from India, is the “solution, not the problem” for the housing crisis, while brushing off “angry” critics of massive citizenship ceremonies in the lead-up to the last election.

Speaking with Indian Link Media Group’s The Pawan Luthra Podcast last week, the Immigration Minister vowed to address the problem of “permanently temporary” visa holders, saying they should be given a chance to “become fully part of Australia’s democracy”.

Tony Burke says migrants are the ‘solution, not the problem’, defends pre-election citizenship ceremonies. By Frank Chung, News.com.au

Let them stay for good, ASRC

Ten years ago, Australians took to the streets to demand that no child be sent back to offshore detention and it worked. Now these young adults and their families have rebuilt their lives in Australia, all while surviving on temporary visas. It’s time to let them stay for good.

Around 700 people remain in Australia who were transferred to Nauru and Papua New Guinea under Australia’s brutal offshore processing regime and were later brought to Australia for urgent medical treatment.

They remain stuck on short-term exit visas with no pathway to permanency, despite having nowhere else to go. 

“We are part of Australia in every way, except on paper.”

Despite all they have been through, they are here and contributing to the Australian community, paying taxes and building their lives. It's time to let them stay for good. 

Despite all they have been through, they are here and contributing to the Australian community, paying taxes and building their lives. It's time to let them stay for good. 

The Government has shown a willingness to support people in similar situations to be granted permanent protection on humanitarian grounds, including the Iranian women’s soccer team. 

Now, with nowhere else to go, the government must intervene to guarantee permanency to this community that has suffered so much harm at the hands of Australia’s brutal offshore detention regime. 

If we can show our political representatives that these 700 people are part of our community and that the community is behind them, they are more likely to finally act to end this injustice. Can you write to your MP today, to demand they let them stay for good?

Let them stay for good, ASRC

Fifty years on, Lam Tac Tam reflects on life in Australia as the first Vietnamese refugee to arrive by boat. By Bertin Huynh, The Guardian

….in the port of Kuching, the captain of an Australian timber ship warned them a voyage across open ocean to Guam would be a death sentence for the small fishing boat. He pointed them south.

“Don’t worry, Australian government will accept you,” Lam says the Australian ship captain told them. He advised it would be safer to sail to Australia, and his advice came with a gift: a maritime map of south-east Asia, an upgrade from the one torn from a school atlas.

…/.Arriving in Darwin, the first person they spoke to wasn’t an immigration officer, but a local skipper who give them the 10 cents needed to call the Australian authorities (and a pack of cigarettes for a first smoko).

Charities found them food and board, but within a week, Lam and his crew went out to find work, not wanting to be a burden on the locals.

“They always help us. We don’t want to make trouble for them,” he says. The men took on construction jobs as speaking English was not required. It was a stark contrast to the life Lam left behind in Vietnam as the son of a business man,…

Dr Claire Higgins, a historian and academic at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, says Lam’s arrival was no surprise to the Australians.

“[Malcolm] Fraser felt there was a moral obligation to aid the refugees given Australia’s military involvement in Vietnam,” she says.

Fifty years on, Lam Tac Tam reflects on life in Australia as the first Vietnamese refugee to arrive by boat. By Bertin Huynh, The Guardian

PNG hotel owner looks to sue Australian government for $11m in unpaid refugee accommodation costs. By Marian Faa and Theckla Gunga, ABC News

He launched a civil case against the PNG immigration department last year in a bid to recover the outstanding money, but the department argued Australia was responsible.

On Wednesday Justice Pauline Bre adjourned an application to make the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Department of Home Affairs defendants in the case.

If it is approved, it would open the door for Mr Kopyoto to pursue the Australian government for the unpaid fees…

..While the exact amount of money given to the PNG government for refugees has not been disclosed, Senator Shoebridge expects the figure to be substantial.

"What we do know from history, whether it's Manus Island or Christmas Island or Nauru … is that the so-called Pacific Solution costs hundreds of millions here, billions of dollars there," he said.

PNG hotel owner looks to sue Australian government for $11m in unpaid refugee accommodation costs. By Marian Faa and Theckla Gunga, ABC News

What hopes and dreams brought him to Australia, and what went wrong? By Christopher Knaus, Gaurav Pokharel in Kathmandu & Cait Kelly, The Guardian

Bikram Lama had a morning ritual.

The rough sleepers of Hyde Park remember it well.

The young Nepali man would emerge from his sleeping bag, perched in the bushes near the bustling tunnel entrance to Sydney’s St James station………

…Asylum seekers are also restricted in their ability to access mainstream supports.

The Refugee Council of Australia estimates that about 5,000 people seeking asylum across Australia are living either in crisis or destitution, though exact figures on homelessness are not readily available.

The Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees, a support service, says it is increasingly fielding requests for help from asylum seekers at risk of homelessness.

The centre’s chief executive, Suha Ali, says the situation is “hugely unjust”.

In Western Australia, the centre successfully lobbied the state government to let asylum seekers access hospital emergency departments without a Medicare card but that gap still exists in other states.

What hopes and dreams brought him to Australia, and what went wrong? By Christopher Knaus, Gaurav Pokharel in Kathmandu & Cait Kelly, The Guardian

After three years of war, Sudan army and RSF locked in military impasse. By Alnoor Ahmed Alnoor, Aljazeera

…On the humanitarian front, the war has reached catastrophic levels. A joint report by the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Intersos found that about 14 million people have been displaced over three years. Simultaneously, 26 million people face acute food insecurity, while 33.7 million require humanitarian assistance, including 7.4 million people internally displaced.

After three years of war, Sudan army and RSF locked in military impasse. By Alnoor Ahmed Alnoor, Aljazeera

On asylum, the Coalition is offering old fixes to problems of its own making. By Abul Rizvi, P & I

The Coalition’s asylum plan repackages familiar measures that have failed before, while sidestepping its role in creating a large and growing backlog of unsuccessful applicants…

…In announcing these policies, Taylor will want the Australian public to forget that he was Assistant Law Enforcement Minister when Australia experienced the start of the biggest labour trafficking scam abusing the asylum system in our history.

On asylum, the Coalition is offering old fixes to problems of its own making. By Abul Rizvi, P & I