Information & Action Resources

Advocacy Brief: The Amendments to Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation

Advocacy Brief: The Amendments to Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation

On 5 December 2014 the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Act 2014 was passed by both Houses of Parliament. This Act puts into domestic law the powers the Government exercises under its current refugee and asylum seeker policy, ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’.

The Act removes Government decision-making from the reach of the courts, and attempts to absolve Australia of many of its obligations under international law. The Act undermines human rights and threatens the accountability and transparency upon which our democratic government should operate. 

This is a resource to help you talk to your local politician, your friends, work colleagues and congregation about why these latest changes to this legislation continue to undermine Australia’s international obligations to asylum seekers.