Dear Victorian Labor for Refugees Member,
I write to update you on developments regarding refugees and asylum seekers and activities of LFR in relation to National ALP forums .
Albanese Government Record on Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The attached document summarises key achievements and developments since the Albanese Government was elected in May 2022. There are some significant positives and achievements whilst some issues remain very much a “work in progress” . You will note the final positive item that it is expected that Australia will shortly take in its millionth refugee since WW11. However LFR remains opposed to the continuing use of Nauru for “offshore processing” and the new use of Nauru for prolonged detention of non-citizen members of the NZYQ cohort and potentially many others – see below.
The “Anti-Fairness” Act and the new contract to transfer non-citizens to Nauru
Like all Human Rights and Refugee advocate groups , LFR is concerned about the government’s continued use of Nauru for the small number of people who arrived by boat and the new contract with Nauru to send non-citizens there long term at great expense. The attached document has a draft motion, based on one developed by NSW/ACT LFR ,which as a LFR member I ask you to consider submitting to your Branch. It also includes some background information on the issues of the new contract and the new Act passed in September.
Meeting with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke
The National Committee of LFR met with the Minister in his electorate office in Sydney on October 15. LFR priority issues of the legacy caseload, PNG and Nauru and components of the National ALP Platform not yet enacted were submitted to the Minister. We believe that a further meeting will take place in 2026.
National Policy Forum (NPF)
The NPF is responsible for producing the draft National Platform for the National Conference in July 2026. State Branches and Unions have elected members to the NPF which is having its first meeting on 13/11/25 . Two of the four elected Victorian members are LFR members.
LFR Review of Sections of the ALP Platform relevant to Asylum Seekers and Refugees
LFR Victorian Committee is meeting on 15/11/25 at 10.30 am at the Royal Standard Hotel (333 William Street, West Melbourne) to formulate recommendations for the 2026 ALP National Platform. Any members who wished to join us in this process would be welcome – notification of attendance for catering purposes would be appreciated. We will be inviting Victorian NPF elected members.
Elections for National Conference Delegates
Elections for Victorian delegates to National Conference will be held in the early months of 2026. At the 2023 LFR working with other delegates were successful achieving positive changes to the Platform. Support for any LFR members or supporters who are standing from Victorian LFR members would be most helpful.
LFR Members Forum 18th October 2025
An informative Forum was held at the Unitarian church featuring one refugee with lived experience of Nauru, one of the prolonged flawed fast track process and Jana Favero the head of systemic change at the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. We were pleased to be joined by members of the Grandmothers for Refugees.
We look forward to your continuing support with our activities in 2026.
Peter Lynch