Commissioner talks immigration

Public notice
Acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner Dr John Byrne was one of five panellists at the presentation of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s launch of its report Finding a place to call home: Immigration in Australia.
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Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre panel shot

The seventh report in the BCEC’s Focus on the States series explores the profile and evolution of immigration in Australia over recent years.

“The contribution by migrants to our culture and economy is outstanding.

“It needs to be matched by a fair go, compassion and freedom from discrimination.” Dr Byrne said.

Panellists were asked various questions from the audience during the launch.

Dr Byrne discussed the possibility of disability discrimination in Australia’s deportation policies.

“Australia needs to show more compassion and accept care responsibility for people who are waiting in Australia to become citizens and where a health issue arises or where a child is born in Australia with a disability.

“Currently people in that situation are at risk of deportation on the basis of the future cost of their care.” He said.

The Finding a place to call home report is available on the BCEC website