Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, moved amendments to the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Bill 2023 which would have removed a provision from the Migration Act that has always been inherently unfair to asylum seekers and refugees. Shamefully the Government and Opposition voted against the amendment, which is reflective of the appalling way successive governments treat refugees and people seeking asylum in this country. Please see above video for full debate.
“My amendment would have removed the new section 367A from the Migration Act,” Mr Wilkie said. “Removing such a provision would have promoted the principles of natural justice and helped dismantle the disproportionate and unfair disadvantage asylum seekers and refugees face when accessing the legal system in this country.
“Section 367A requires the newly formed Administrative Appeal Tribunal to doubt new evidence presented by asylum seekers if the information is not included in their original claim.
“This ignores the inherent disadvantage that asylum seekers face when seeking protection in this country, including language barriers, access to translation and legal services, fear of authorities and trauma suffered.”