By Rachael Buckland, an intern with the Migration and Border Policy Project.
- François Crépeau, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, is scheduled to visit Australia in November. This follows written assurances from the Australian government addressing perceived threats of reprisal for those sharing information with Crépeau under the Border Force Act.
- The Royal Commission into child abuse has indicated that it will not visit Nauru or Manus Island as part of any expanded investigations into abuse in detention centres.
- The Australian Federal Government has overhauled the proposed 32.5% tax on earnings up to A$37,000 for temporary working holiday makers. Treasurer Scott Morrison announced the drop to 19%, which many hope will encourage an increased flow of working holidaymakers. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is sceptical.
- Karen Middleton has unpacked RAND's report assessing the consolidation of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).
- Australian Border Force industrial action at international airports, cruise ship terminals and cargo facilities is expected to continue until 9 October. ASPI's Dr John Coyne has expressed concern that this constitutes a security risk to Australia's borders, weakening capability to combat organised crime and terrorism.
- Monash University's Andrew Markus has questioned Essential poll findings that a majority of Australians support a ban on Muslim immigration, highlighting methodological issues and poor media reporting.
- The UN Development Programme and the International Organization for Migration have signed a statement of intent on strengthened cooperation.
- Since November 2015, seven bills have been introduced in US Congress by GOP members empowering governors to refuse refugee resettlement. In addition, more than 30 bills seeking to increase refugee screening or reduce the number of refugees entering the country have been introduced. According to the Migration Policy Institute, this opposition could limit Obama's resettlement commitment of 110,000 in fiscal year 2017.
- French President Francois Hollande announced his government's plans to close the Calais 'Jungle Camp'. Calling on British authorities to 'play their part,' Hollande announced plans to relocate asylum seekers living in the camp across the country.
- Children's Commissioner of England Anne Longfield and her French counterpart Geneviève Avenard have called on the French government to urgently provide protection for children and ensure that they are properly identified, registered and accommodated before the shutdown of the camp.
- On 2 October, Hungary will vote in a referendum to decide whether the country will accept the EU refugee resettlement quota.
- Drawing on the Asian Development Outlook 2016 Report, Brookings' Katherine HS Moon has asked why Asia is 'missing in action' on accepting asylum seekers and resettling refugees.
- Brookings' Sarah Dryden Peterson has published a three-point plan to orientate global action on refugee education.
- A new report by UNICEF indicates that between 2010 and 2015, child refugee numbers have increased by 77%, from 5 to 8 million:
