Policy submissions

Here you’ll find a wide selection of policy papers and submissions we’ve published. Each paper draws on our experience working with disadvantaged youth, families and communities.

Submission to inquiry into migration in regional Australia
- 18 November 2019
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry into migration in regional Australia. In our submission, we argue that with the right policies, services and support in place, regional settlement initiatives have the potential to benefit both newly arrived people, including refugees, and the communities in which…
Submission to the Northern Territory Government’s Climate Change Response: Towards 2050
- 13 November 2019
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Northern Territory Government’s draft Climate Change Response. Our comments on the draft response follow our submission to the Government’s initial Climate Change Response Discussion Paper in November last year. The Northern Territory is facing some of Australia’s most extreme climate changes. As we heard at…
Submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee’s Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019
- 21 October 2019
Jesuit Social Services believes that the current measures prescribed by the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018 — commonly referred to as the Medevac Law — are reasonable and necessary. Moves to repeal this legislation, as prescribed by the Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019, are cause for considerable concern. The Medevac…
The harsh reality of onshore immigration detention in Australia
- 10 July 2019
“Rules for visitors have become stricter, procedures more onerous and conditions for visits less welcoming. Changes appear to be designed to deter visits. I believe they are achieving this goal. Because of this I have increased my visits to twice weekly.” – A detention visitor in Victoria Numerous independent reports over many years have documented…
Submission to Victorian African Communities Action Plan
- 5 January 2018
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft Victorian African Communities Action Plan. We commend the Government on taking this proactive step, in close collaboration with local communities, towards creating more inclusive economic and social opportunities for all African Victorians. Jesuit Social Services recognises and affirms the significant economic and social contribution…
Submission to the Visa simplification policy consultation
- 4 October 2017
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to put forward our views to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s ‘Visa simplification’ policy consultation. In our submission we call on the Australian Government to ensure that any transformation of our visa system retains a nation-building focus: reuniting families, enhancing social networks, enriching our cultural diversity and…
Submission to the inquiry on the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Bill 2017
- 20 July 2017
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to put forward our views to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry on the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017. In our submission we call for a number of amendments to the bill to ensure that citizenship remains…
Submission to the Strengthening the Test for Australian Citizenship discussion paper
- 6 June 2017
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to put forward our views on the Strengthening the Test for Australian Citizenship discussion paper, which outlines the Australian Government’s proposal to change the eligibility requirements for Australian citizenship. In our submission we call on the Australian Government to support initiatives to empower vulnerable migrants and strengthen social cohesion,…
Submission to the Humanitarian Programme 2017-18 discussion paper
- 6 June 2017
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to put forward our views on the composition of the 2017-18 Humanitarian Programme, as well as initiatives assisting humanitarian entrants to secure stable employment and achieve self-sufficiency. In our submission we call for a more generous response to the needs of displaced people under an expanded Humanitarian Programme. We…
Submission to the inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes
- 19 February 2017
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes. In our submission, we call on the Australian Government to: ensure programs and policies affecting newly arrived migrants recognise the significant impact that migration and pre-arrival experiences have on individuals’ settlement outcomes recognise that settlement…