Immigration Minister Kevin Andrew announced this week that Australia will stop accepting African refugees until at least mid-2008. He stated that he was prompted, particularly, by a perception that Sudanese refugees were having “difficulties in integrating into Australia society”. This move represents a clear and abhorrent attempt to vilify a particular racial group in order to win approval, and votes, from a section of the Australian community sympathetic to these views.

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrew announced this week that Australia will stop accepting African refugees until at least mid-2008. He stated that he was prompted, particularly, by a perception that Sudanese refugees were having "difficulties in integrating into Australia society". This move represents a clear and abhorrent attempt to vilify a particular racial group in order to win approval, and votes, from a section of the Australian community sympathetic to these views.

Minister Andrew's announcement was wholly unnecessary and did not represent any actual change in policy. The change in composition to the humanitarian intake had been announced in mid August, with the intake from the Africa region reduced to 30 per cent for the 2007-2008 year. A corresponding increase in the intake from Asia and the Middle East was also announced. A strong argument could be mounted that this change was justified given the exodus of some 4 million Iraqi refugees into Syria and Jordan, the humanitarian crisis in Burma and Australia's responsibility to relieve the burden of refugees in the Asia-Pacific region. However, these arguments were not made. As soon as the 30 percent quota was filled, the Minister was able to create the illusion that the door was ‘closed' to African refugees and make inflammatory comments that impugned the integrity of the African community as a whole. 

"It is absolutely unacceptable for Minister Andrews to be playing the race card, on the eve of an election announcement," stated JRS director David Holdcroft SJ. "Without any supporting data, Minister Andrews has condemned a hardworking group of new Australians."

The reality is that the majority of African refugees arrive in Australia eager to establish peaceful and productive lives for themselves and their families. 

"Minister Andrews' comments have no basis in fact. The Sudanese refugees who come to us for assistance are highly motivated and resourceful", said Fr Holdcroft. "All express a strong desire to get a good education, and they will often work several jobs to do so while supporting their families."

The composition of Australia's intake of refugees must be based on humanitarian need and not on unsubstantiated claims about difficulties in adjusting to the Australian community. While it may be appropriate to select migrants on national interest criteria, it must be remembered that refugees are not migrants. They have not chosen to leave their countries and cannot prepare for their new home as migrants can.

These slurs will greatly hinder, rather than help, the ability of African refugees to be accepted by and live in harmony in Australian society.