28th Nov 2012, 3:53 PM – Senate Motions - Asylum Seekers - Right to work

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. The motion was "That the Senate calls on the Government to give asylum seekers and refugees the legal right to work."

Because the majority voted against the motion, it was unsuccessful.

Background to the motion

Four days before this division took place, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ('UNHCR') criticised the federal government for denying refugees on its new bridging visas.(Read more about the UNHCR's criticisms here. )

Article 17 of the Refugee Convention, which Australia has signed and ratified, states that "Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country in the same circumstances, as regards the right to engage in wage-earning employment."(You can read Article 17 here. ) This means that Australia is arguably breaching the Convention by preventing refugees and asylum seekers the right to work.(Read more about Australia's breach of the Refugee Convention in respect of the right to work on Crikey here.)

References