Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) Federal Election 2016 Policy Platform

Transcription

1 22 June 2016 Multicultural Yuth Advcacy Netwrk (MYAN) Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm The MYAN is Australia s natinal peak bdy representing multicultural yuth issues. This electin platfrm presents the key issues and recmmendatins fr yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds in the cntext f the 2016 Australian federal electin. The MYAN are calling fr mre attentin t strategies and plicies that will address disadvantage, scial chesin, access t educatin and emplyment, and pprtunities fr yuth leadership. Almst ne in fur yung Australians were brn verseas r had a parent brn verseas at last census and ur diversity cntinues t grw. Australia s migratin prgram will see almst 200,000 new Australian s arrive each year frm 2017, ne in every three f whm will likely be aged under 25 years. Diversity is nt nly ur reality, it is als ur strength. Australia s multiculturalism is unique and the success f scial chesin in this cuntry has made ur settlement prgram ne f the mst recgnised acrss the wrld. But such success can be easily undne. Fear, intlerance and islatin are real threats t scial chesin that require careful investment and nurturing t cntinue t grw and supprt a successful multicultural sciety that affrds all its members pprtunities t participate fully and meaningfully. The MYAN s recmmendatins are designed t build n Australia s successes and t address identified issues. They are based n the understanding that yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds, despite demnstrating high levels f resilience and resurcefulness, ften face additinal and mre cmplex transitins than their Australian-brn cunterparts. These include barriers t accessing services and pprtunities such as language, culture, unfamiliarity with Australian systems and prcesses, racism, and discriminatin. These factrs can place yung peple at scial and ecnmic disadvantage within Australian sciety, which in turn can place them at higher risk f scial islatin and impact n their participatin. The MYAN believes targeted r specialist appraches are essential t supprting the scial, cultural and ecnmic participatin f yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds in Australia. MYAN Australia recently launched the Natinal Yuth Settlement Framewrk (NYSF), which prvides supprt fr the kind f targeted and cnsistent service and plicy apprach yung peple need t settle well. While tls help, the gvernment f the day hlds ultimate respnsibility fr als investing in prgrams and strategies that advance a strng, chesive multicultural cmmunity. This requires leadership, targeted prgrams, investments based n sund evidence, as well as direct engagement with yung peple in the planning and delivery supprts that address their needs and encurage them t realise strength in their diversity. Fr further infrmatin please cntact the MYAN Natinal Crdinatr, Nadine Liddy, n nadine@myan.rg.au

2 EDUCATION Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Access t apprpriate educatin is cmmnly nted as the mst significant factr influencing the settlement prcess. Yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds can face specific disadvantage in learning English and achieving sustained engagement in educatin and training pathways, as they: Are ften required t learn a new language in an unfamiliar educatinal r learning envirnment Often have limited, interrupted r n frmal schling prir t their arrival in Australia. The current temprary visa system sees yung peple n SHEVs and TPVs experiencing limited access t further educatin, despite study being prmted as a ptential pathway t permanent residency fr peple n SHEVs. Bth majr parties have made cmmitments t cntinue funding the Gnski, needs-based, mdel t at least This is a mdel that if used as intended can address inequity in ur schl system and prvide the necessary supprt students frm refugee and migrant backgrunds need t reach their ptential. All yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds require: Targeted resurces fr EAL supprt in schls Supprts in and utside the classrm t supprt EAL learning and sustained engagement in educatin and training pathways Schls and ther educatin prviders require supprt t engage parents in their children s educatin. Educatin funding allcatins must ensure: Lading fr students with limited English skills is targeted t thse students wh are mst vulnerable The current lading fr all students f Language Backgrund Other Than English (LBOTE) sufficiently targets English as an Additinal / Secnd Language (EAL/ESL) students wh are vulnerable and mre likely t experience disadvantage. That the Australian Gvernment supprts all yung peple equally in educatin engagement and transitins, and funds specialist prgrams that meet the specific needs f yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds. That the Australian Gvernment develp a natinal measure f English language prficiency t direct ladings t the mst vulnerable students. That the Australian Gvernment establishes schl accuntability mechanisms t ensure that ladings fr students with limited English skills are firmly tied t the educatinal needs f this chrt. That funding fr state educatin includes dedicated resurces fr supprt services and prgrams (e.g. peer/ mentr supprt) t supplement teachers awareness regarding issues f pre-arrival trauma and settlement cmplexity. This includes resurces t supprt engagement with family members. That data cllatin mechanisms be develped t accurately measure schl engagement levels f newly arrived yung peple. Page 2 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

3 Emplyment and Training Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds can face additinal disadvantage in terms f emplyment, earning, and ccupatinal attainment due t: Limited English language skills Lack f understanding abut pst cmpulsry training ptins/pathways Lack f awareness abut Australian wrkplace culture and expectatins Lack f familiarity with emplyment services and Australian systems Negtiating family expectatins regarding training and career ptins Experiences f racism and discriminatin in lking fr wrk Limited (r n established) scial capital Yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds need targeted supprt t vercme barriers t emplyment and training that addresses their particular needs and capabilities - including building their understanding f and links with ptential emplyers and skills in jb searching. Targeted supprt shuld include cnsideratin f the value f quarantined access t TAFE recgnising that the VET sectr and TAFE system play a vital rle in supprting this grup f yung peple t navigate training and emplyment pathways. That the Australian Gvernment develp a crdinated emplyment strategy t ensure that yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds are apprpriately and effectively targeted in any future emplyment prgrams. That the Australian Gvernment increase the accessibility f mainstream services and prgrams supprting training and emplyment pathways t yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds (e.g. Transitins t Wrk, Empwering YOUth, jbactive, PaTH r any alternative). That all Australian Gvernment-funded yuth prviders are expected t implement cultural cmpetency reflected in incentives r ther cntractual bligatins/respnsibilities/ accuntability measures. Limited expsure t a range f career ptins particularly fr yung peple wh have spent many years living in refugee camps Lack f recgnitin f prir learning and/r training when accessing emplyment pprtunities Access ften t nly unskilled r lw paid emplyment. The SHEV temprary visa scheme incentivises humanitarian arrivals t lcate t reginal areas where yuth emplyment and educatinal attainment levels are belw thse in majr cities. Yung peple frm humanitarian backgrunds require additinal supprts t make the mst f pprtunities ffered in reginal Australia where: Specialist service infrastructure, experience and expertise are less established cmpared t majr cities and metrplitan areas. Reginal settlement supprt must be wellplanned and resurced t supprt successful migrant settlement and t manage cultural diversity. That in any review t the TAFE system r VET sectr the Australian gvernment ensure accessibility fr yung peple frm refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant backgrunds. That settlement ptins in reginal lcatin be carefully cnsidered with regard t wrk and vcatinal pathways t ensure the lng-term viability f these cmmunities. Page 3 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

4 Yuth Settlement Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Yung peple cnsistently cmprise a significant prprtin f Australia s Refugee and Humanitarian Prgramme. In the last financial year, apprximately 16% f all arrivals thrugh Australia s Humanitarian prgram were aged between 12 and in 5 recipients f HSS between 2011 and 2014 were under 29 years ld. The increased intake thrugh Australia s resettlement prgram in respnse t the Syrian refugee crisis is likely t include a large number f children and yung peple. Yung peple have particular settlement needs and face particular barriers in accessing the supprt they require t ensure their full participatin in Australian sciety. Yung peple experience settlement in ways distinct frm adults and cmmnly face additinal and mre cmplex transitins t their Australianbrn cunterparts. Unaccmpanied r separated yung peple (UHMs) are a particularly vulnerable grup. In 2014, 51% f the wrld s refugees were under the age f 18, mre than 34,300 new individual asylum applicatins were ldged by unaccmpanied and separated children, and less than 1% f thse resettled were children r adlescents at risk. Adequate targeted supprt in the early stages f settlement is critical t ensuring that yung peple receive the supprt they need t navigate the settlement prcess and build a successful life in Australia. UHMs require additinal crdinated supprt t ensure their diverse and cmplex needs are addressed as they navigate the challenges f settlement in a new cuntry as adlescents withut the immediate supprt and care f family and/r significant thers. Settlement services require greater investment in service system strengthening and resurcing t effectively identify and address the needs f yung refugee and humanitarian entrants. Australia is well-placed t supprt the resettlement f UHMs with established and existing infrastructure previusly invested in by the Australian Gvernment. That HSS and CCS prgrams are supprted by clear guidance and resurced t effectively tailr supprts t the needs f yung peple That the Settlement Services Prgram (SSP): Expands its yuth fcus t 12 t 25 Receives increased funding and scpe fr mre lng term supprt fr yung peple Meets the particular needs f UHMs. That the Gvernment f Australia investigates the inclusin f children at risk, including unaccmpanied and separated minrs, within the ffshre cmpnent f Australia s Humanitarian Prgramme That a natinal framewrk t guide the supprt and care f unaccmpanied and separated yung peple is develped, including: Guidelines fr carer recruitment, respnsibilities and supprt A targeted apprach (with exit/transitins plans) t supprting yung peple transitining ut f the UHM prgram at 18.* *This shuld be cnsistent with the kind f supprt prvided t yung peple leaving state care, and include intensive supprt with a fcus n addressing settlement and husing needs. Page 4 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

5 Husing and Hmelessness Cntext Issues Recmmendatins On any given day in 2015, there were 100,000 hmeless peple in Australia 40% f wh were under 25 years ld. While there are n current figures n hmelessness amng yung peple frm refugee r newly arrived backgrunds, it is recgnised that this grup face a cmplex mix f factrs that mean they are particularly vulnerable t hmelessness. There is currently n adequate data cllectin system under the Specialist Hmelessness Services t capture the prevalence f hmelessness amng yung peple frm refugee r newly arrived backgrunds. That the Recnnect Specialist Newly Arrived prgram is expanded in high settlement areas. That cultural cmpetency accuntability measures are incrprated int funding guidelines fr specialist and mainstream hmelessness agencies funded under natinal husing and hmelessness agreements. These include: challenges understanding and accessing service systems and supprt ften impacted by disrupted educatin, managing language acquisitin and cultural adjustment lack f family and/r extended scial supprt netwrks, including adult supprt lack f financial and material resurces the challenges f changed family cmpsitin / family recnfiguratin increased likelihd f experiencing vercrwded husing (e.g. financial r ther issues may lead t husing arrangements that are already strained by vercrwding) Given their vulnerability t scial exclusin and hmelessness, it is vital yung peple frm refugee, asylum seeking r newly arrived backgrunds are explicitly recgnised and respnded t in the develpment and implementatin f any plicies r prgrams within federal r state/territry implementatin plans (e.g. in the negtiatin f a new Natinal Husing r Hmelessness Agreement.) In additin t thse factrs that can precipitate hmelessness, yung peple frm refugee, asylum seeking r newly arrived backgrunds can als experience barriers that prevent their equitable access t adequate husing and husing supprt ne f the mst significant barriers being a lack f cultural cmpetency within mainstream husing and hmelessness services. That data cllectin (e.g. the Specialist Hmelessness Services Cllectin) be imprved t ensure mre accurate assessment f accessibility f yung peple frm migrant and refugee backgrunds t Specialist Hmelessness Services. That the specific needs f yung peple frm refugee, asylum seeking and migrant backgrunds are recgnised and respnded t in the future plicy and prgram delivery f hmelessness services. Page 5 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

6 Mental Health Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds face a number f mental health risk factrs in additin t thse f the general ppulatin. These include: Page 6 f 9 experiences f racism and discriminatin negtiating issues f belnging and identity in a crss-cultural cntext pre-settlement experiences f trauma r trture and/r trauma experienced thrugh perids spent in immigratin detentin in Australia. Building a yung persn s sense f scial cnnectin and inclusin in the Australian cmmunity is an imprtant cmpnent f building resilience in relatin t mental health. Lack f cultural cmpetency in mainstream yuth mental health services resulting in inadequate service utilisatin in a cntext f natinally funded yuth mental health services (e.g. headspace). Lack f data regarding access by yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds t mainstream mental health services. Lack f crdinatin between mental health and ther supprt services t supprt referral int yuth mental health services. That accuntability measures in relatin t cultural cmpetency are incrprated int funding guidelines fr yuth mental health services (e.g. headspace.) That imprved measures f accessibility by yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds t yuth mental health services are develped. That the Australian Gvernment invests in initiatives fr yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds that strengthens the prtective factrs fr mental health and wellbeing, including initiatives that: Strengthen yung peple s sense f belnging, scial cnnectedness, resilience and cping skills Create meaningful and supprtive pprtunities in educatin and emplyment Reduce racism and discriminatin. That Federal funding fr services wrking with refugee and migrant yung peple includes dedicated resurces fr supprt services and prgrams t build wrkers understanding and expertise t identify and respnd t issues f pre-arrival trauma and settlement cmplexity and make apprpriate and timely referrals. MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

7 Racism and Participatin Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Despite the diversity f the Australian cmmunity racism and discriminatin are an ever-present reality fr yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds. Where racism ccurs matters: 43 per cent f yung peple reprt experiencing r witnessing racism at schl, while 33 per cent say they have experienced r witnessed it n the Internet. That the Australian Gvernment expand grants prgrams that prmte scial chesin and include a particular fcus n yuth-led initiatives and prgrams fr yung peple. In 2013, nine ut f ten 13 t 17 year lds in Australia experienced sme frm f racism r saw it happen t smene else. The experience f racism and discriminatin: Threatens persnal and cultural identity, and can have a detrimental impact n mental health, wellbeing, psychlgical develpment and capacity t negtiate the transitin t adulthd. Can be a key barrier t scial inclusin, as it can diminish a yung persn s sense f cnnectin and belnging t their cmmunity and brader sciety, reinfrce the experience f marginalisatin and islatin and inhibit participatin in educatin, emplyment r recreatinal activities. Effective respnses: Cmmunity and schl-based prgrams are critical t addressing racism and discriminatin Yuth-led mdels are significant in this cntext. Settlement specific plicies and prgrams are nly effective when embedded within a brader scially inclusive sciety. Fcusing nly n yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds will nt address the structural barriers they face t participatin. That investment cntinues int the natinal Anti-Racism Strategy and public campaign led by the Australian Human Rights Cmmissin and related prgrams targeting schls. That yung peple frm refugee and migrant backgrunds are encuraged and supprted t lead prgrams and devise new ideas fr building scial chesin in nn-schl settings, including in all levels f gvernment, the wrkplace, sprts, and the arts. Australia benefits frm the ecnmic, scial and cultural advantages gained frm a diverse, scially chesive sciety. Disengagement and disadvantage f individuals and cmmunities in ur sciety directly threatens scial chesin and the benefits diversity brings. What is required is investment in prgrams and plicies that nt nly discurage discriminatin but that prmte scial chesin and cultural diversity. Page 7 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

8 Asylum seekers Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Minrs Yung peple wh are seeking asylum in Australia, in particular thse wh are unaccmpanied (UAMs), are a vulnerable grup with cmplex and diverse needs. Yung peple seeking asylum cmmnly experience high levels f stress and a cmplex mix f mental and physical health issues (that ften cntinue beynd the granting f a permanent visa). Unaccmpanied minrs Under the IGOC Act, the Minister fr Immigratin has guardianship respnsibility fr UAMs. This presents a number f well dcumented cncerns. There is currently n natinal framewrk t guide care and supprt f UAMs. That the Australian Gvernment meet all bligatins under the Cnventin n the Rights f Child (CRC) in relatin t the care and supprt f yung peple seeking asylum. This includes reviewing current guardianship arrangements and access t family reunin. That the Australian Gvernment establish independent guardianship arrangements fr UAMs. 1,679 peple are being held in detentin in Australia and 1,373 peple are in detentin n Nauru (468) and Manus Island, PNG (905). While current figures suggest 67 children are currently in held detentin in Australia and Nauru, many f thse in held detentin are likely t be under 30 years ld. Detentin The detrimental impact f detentin is well dcumented and can have a devastating impact n a yung persn s physical and mental health. That the Australian Gvernment end mandatry held detentin in Australia and ffshre. Of the 4,050 yung peple living in the cmmunity n bridging visas, mst wuld have experienced sme frm f held detentin since seeking asylum in Australia. (cntinued ver page) Page 8 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm

9 Asylum seekers (cnt.) Cntext Issues Recmmendatins Plicy cntext Offshre prcessing (and detentin) f all asylum seekers, including children and yung peple, arriving by bat after 19 July The reintrductin f temprary prtectin, including the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV). Changes t family reunin mean that under which family members f prtectin visa hlders receive the lwest pririty fr prcessing and thse wh arrived by bat after 19 July 2013, have n ptins fr family reunificatin. Temprary prtectin Under current plicy, yung peple aged ver 18 n bridging visas arriving n r after 13 August 2012: are nt entitled t wrk rights; have limited access t health care and English language tuitin; and are cmmnly living in unstable and vercrwded accmmdatin. The likely detrimental effects f the reintrductin f temprary prtectin include: cmpunding the effects f trauma and impeding recvery, hindering capacity t establish lng term gals, and That the Australian Gvernment grant rights fr thse n bridging visas t access educatin and emplyment, as well as pprtunities fr participatin in activities in the brader cmmunity. That the Australian Gvernment review the eligibility requirements fr SHEV hlders t apply fr permanent residency, cnsidering the feasibility and practicality f such requirements being achieved and hw they will likely impact upn ptential permanent residents capacity t make a gd start settling int life in Australia. inhibit sense f security and belnging. The MYAN are especially cncerned abut the likely impacts this plicy is t have n the lng term health and wellbeing f yung peple. Family reunin Separatin frm family can add significantly t the challenges f settlement with negative impacts n settlement utcmes, health and wellbeing, as well as mtivatin t build cnnectins and skills t supprt participatin, including engagement in educatin, training and emplyment. Page 9 f 9 MYAN Federal Electin 2016 Plicy Platfrm