Australia’s policy on refugees and asylum seekers should prioritise dignity, fairness, and compliance with international obligations, including the Refugee Convention and human rights treaties. Mandatory and offshore detention should be ceased and a model of community-based processing should be considered. Not only should asylum seekers be treated with respect while their claims are assessed, onshore processing costs significantly less. Offshore detention in places like Nauru has been widely condemned for human rights abuses and mental health impacts - this is inconsistent with Australia’s commitment to humane treatment. Instead, asylum seekers should be housed in the community or in open reception centres with access to legal representation, healthcare, and social support, fostering integration and reducing harm.

Asylum seekers should have the right to work while their claims are processed, allowing them to contribute to society, maintain dignity, and reduce dependence on government support.  Any policy addressing asylum seekers with criminal convictions should line up with domestic and international legal frameworks, ensuring fair and proportionate responses rather than exile to offshore facilities. A rights-based approach would balance national security with humane treatment, recognising that asylum seekers deserve due process and the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety.