With no end in sight to the war, and with millions suffering because of it I would suggest that Australia along with others, including America and its NATO allies, immediately launch a humanitarian program to resettle Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war. It would not be unreasonable for a wealthy country like Australia to take in one million people.

Australia along with America and others, should also be offering the Uyghur people of China priority refugee status for resettlement here and elsewhere. It is not unreasonable for Australia to aim for a population of 30 million in the short term built on a program of resettlement of displaced and persecuted people. This is a small price to pay for our on going commitment to humanitarian aid.

I believe we have enough trouble housing & supporting the population we have now. All immigration should stop.

However if we are to be stupid enough to bring in more people, Ukrainian refugees would make very good citizens, looking for work & safety not welfare as are too meany imports.

But the Uyghur people of China, no way. They, like most Chinese, are far too industrious for us. A million of them would damn soon own everything leaving us to work for them. The laid back Ozzie could never compete with such people

Dear Paul,

Yet another government program?

Yes the people of this fortunate continent ought to help these refugees, but not the Australian "government" - if only they stepped out of the way and stopped imposing themselves in deciding who is allowed to come here and who isn't.

Is there anything on how long someone can claim refugee status ? If someone escapes would it not be in the first country they step on that their refugee status is no longer valid ? Yes, they're very likely financially in dire need but safety wise they're no longer in danger.
I'm astounded every time I see an interview with so-called refugees in nice homes & on generous welfare even after years in the new country.
Are they still deemed refugees ? is there any requirement similar to a legal immigrant to actively seek employment or can the claim of being a refugee be extended for some time ?
When do they officially change from refugee to economic refugee migrant ?
We're all aware what our responsibilities are regarding refugees but what about their responsibilities to this Nation ?
Someone in the know please comment !

Hi Paul,

What's our current yearly immigration intake - 200K people?

If we reduced the amount of people from other countries and focused solely on Ukrainian's (and Uyghur's) while they're currently trapped in a warzone I guess that's ok, but I'm not sure I agree that we should increase our intake.

Also, in order to hold that new immigration position above, (a switch to more of the intake being Ukrainian (and Uyghur) I'd argue that we must stop doing things that support a continuation of the war.
- That means no more weapons or other military aid, no more training Ukrainians for war, and further, we must promote a position in support of a negotiated settlement immediately.

Take note that holding this position would infuriate the US, but it might reduce the level of support for further conflict and promote peace talks.

We can give them a safe place to live for themselves and their family, perhaps a job for some and benefits for others, (many being women with kids) but they're not allowed to stir up any trouble with China or Russia.
- They just get the right to live in peace and safety, and are not to be used for activism or pro-democracy movements.

The US goes to war anywhere on the planet at the drop of a hat claiming national interests with complete and absolute impunity.
I don't see why Russia is not permitted to defend its own Russian speaking speaking in an area which has historically been Russian for hundreds of years, when it has been warning of this situation for well over a decade.

US thinks it can do whatever it wants, wherever it wants, whenever it wants, but that no-one else is allowed to have national interests too.

I support the Russian side, but I'm not heartless and am willing to accommodate people in genuine need.

And we should probably still help some other genuine refugees but no more than we already do.

- This position is in line with what our country can provide, not in line with what others want.

[Cont.]
Any more than our current intake, and I support Yuyutsu's position.
- Let wealthier private citizens house, feed and cover the schooling, health and other living expenses of these extra people, if they're willing to.

But they don't gain automatic citizenship.
- If they prove themselves to be good decent people and don't cause any trouble, then they either go home to Ukraine after the war is over, or they can apply for citizenship at that time.
If they do cause trouble, then their right to apply for citizenship at the end of the conflict is revoked.
They must abide by our legal system or face the same penalties as we otherwise would.
- But sponsors must pay all the legal costs, and the cost of imprisonment if warranted.