Amnesty International welcomes the introduction of the Community Placement Network (CPN) initiative as a positive shift to more community-based processing of asylum seekers in Australia.
For the first time Australian families under a government program will be able to house asylum seekers who are released on bridging visas. It will provide them with an opportunity to be introduced to the Australian community.
“We are pleased to see these positive steps relating to the processing of asylum seekers in the Australian community,” says Dr Graham Thom, Amnesty International’s refugee spokesperson.
“Community processing initiatives like the CPN are much cheaper than detention, and much more humane, giving asylum seekers the chance to start contributing to Australian society while they wait for their refugee status to be assessed,” says Dr Thom.
“We have to remember that ultimately 90% of asylum seekers will be found to be genuine refugees.”
Run by the Australian Homestay Network, CPN makes short-term homestay accommodation accessible to asylum seekers exiting immigration detention on a bridging visa.
The development reiterates Amnesty International’s long held position, which calls for the shift towards community-based processing of asylum seekers to be expedited.
Following its recent research trip covering some of the most remote detention facilities across the country, Amnesty International found that the environment of detention makes it incredibly difficult for asylum seekers to understand and engage with the system. Once released from detention, refugees often feel isolated and disconnected within the community. “This is a step forward and it honours Australia’s obligations under the Refugee Convention, but the Government must now continue to work towards increasing the number of bridging visa releases.” says Dr Thom.
How to get involved with the CPN initiative:
The Australian Homestay Network (AHN) will provide all approved hosts with information, training, insurance and support services throughout their involvement with the Australian Homestay Network (AHN). Anticipated costs to the host of providing accommodation will be reimbursed through AHN.
Members of the public interested to help by becoming a host may wish to visit the Community Placement Network (CPN) website to apply and to find out more information.
Quoting Pamela Curr
Campaign Coordinator
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Melbourne.
A lot of misinformation out there in media today … So just so you can correct them.
Media have confused the figures between AHN (Australian Homestay Network) with CPN (Community Placement Network)
AHN is for International Students- full board and lodging – Around $300 per week
CPN is for asylum seekers coming out of detention on a Bridging Visa.
Asylum seekers will pay$120- $140 PER WEEK for board in an Australian home under the Community Placement network CPN for the first six weeks. They will pay extra for food.
They will pay this out of their CAS payment which is around $215 per week.
Asylum seekers get a CAS payment for the first 6 weeks when they leave detention. The CAS payment is the equivalent of 89% of Sickness Benefit(the lowest Centrelink Payment).
CPN has not started yet- begins in next two weeks.
This contrasts with costs in Detention are $160 – $ 850 per person PER NIGHT- depending on where the detention centre is located.
Over 90% of asylum seekers coming by boat are found to be refugees, get visas and will settle in Australia.
The Australian CPN families offer accommodation and a helping hand to get them started in the Australian tradition.
GUESS WHAT hundreds of people are volunteering showing the true spirit of this country. BRAVO – great program – lets make it work.