It was recently reported that former Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone overturned the deportation of a suspected Melbourne Mafia identity, Francesco Madafferi, on 'humane grounds'. The decision came just two weeks after the man's brother, an alleged crime figure, donated a large sum of money to the Liberal Party, prompting allegations that the visa decision was politically motivated.

The debate about the propriety of Ms Vanstone’s decision to grant the visa follows an earlier debate about the cancellation of Dr Mohamed Haneef's visa by former Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews, and raises two larger questions about the character provisions in the Australian immigration regime.

Australians need to change their perceptions about refugees and asylum seekers if they wish to alleviate the ever-increasing migratory trend, says the newly-appointed director of Jesuit Refugee Service Australia, Fr Sacha Bermudez-Goldman SJ. 'It is true that stories concerning asylum seekers and refugees can be quite overwhelming and depressing, but it is also true that face-to-face contact with them is inspiring. Their resilience and energy to overcome great disadvantage motivates and instructs us, and my hope is that JRS will contribute to make these face-to-face encounters possible.'

Fr Bermudez-Goldman brings with him substantial experience working as a volunteer with asylum seeker and refugee organisations in Sydney and Melbourne, and as chaplain at the Maribyrnong Detention Centre in Melbourne. He is privileged, he says, to have met and accompanied some extraordinary men and women through their experiences, and hopes his new role will allow him to continue to support and advocate for people still seeking asylum.