Open Letter from Australian Church Leaders
This open letter is currently open to sign by Church leaders at the national, state and local level. It is welcome to clergy, church staff, para-church organisation, religious orders and similar. If this is you, we encourage you to add your name below. If not, please send this on.
To:
Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Home Affairs
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Dear Minister,
Love Thy Neighbour: An Open Letter from Australian Church Leaders on Refugees and Asylum Seekers
We write as Christian leaders from across Australia, representing a wide breadth of traditions, denominations, and communities.
For the past 75 years, Australia has welcomed more than one million refugees. It is something to be proud of and to be celebrated. This legacy is one of Australia’s greatest strengths. It reflects a country that, at its best, responds to people in need with courage, generosity, and compassion.
Our church communities, schools, hospitals, social services and businesses are enriched by the courage, commitment and skills of people who have fled persecution and harm to build new lives here.
Today, when wars, conflicts and human rights abuses are at record levels, Australia is called to respond with a generous welcome and to honour the commitments we have made. We believe this is a moment for our nation to show leadership again.
As Christians, we recall that the Holy Family were refugees fleeing persecution. To follow Jesus is to practise love, care, and welcome. Across the country, churches are seeking to live this out every day through acts of welcome, hospitality, solidarity, and practical support. We want to see this same spirit reflected in our national policies towards migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
We therefore call on the Australian Government to commit to people in need by:
Maintaining and expanding Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program, in line with Australia’s pledge at the Global Refugee Forum in 2023 to build the program to 27,000 places.
Committing to complementary pathways as additional to our humanitarian intake, like skilled refugee labour and refugee student settlement, and making them a permanent part of our humanitarian program.
Ensuring people in Australia, who are awaiting the outcome of their applications for protection, have access to work and Medicare, preserving dignity and enabling contribution to the community.
Since 1947, one million refugee stories are already woven into Australia’s life forming a rich multicultural tapestry. We must not lose sight of those fleeing persecution who seek safety, welcome, and a place to belong. Australia can take the next step. We can build on a strong legacy and respond to this moment with clarity, compassion, and resolve.
We urge the Australian Government to act.
Yours faithfully,