How Much Do You Really Know About Asylum Seekers?

1. TRUE OR FALSE: "As of 2010, Australia no longer has any Asylum Seeking Children in detention"?

TRUE

FALSE

As of the 21st of May 2010 there were 427 children in detention.

Explanation

As of the 21st of May 2010 there were 427 children in detention.

2. TRUE OR FALSE: "An Asylum Seeker is a Refugee" ?

TRUE

FALSE

FALSE. An Asylum Seeker is someone who is APPLYING for Refugee Status.

Explanation

FALSE. An Asylum Seeker is someone who is APPLYING for Refugee Status.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: "Asylum Seekers don't need to travel to Australia from Indonesia, they could stop there and be just as protected under International Law"?

TRUE

`FALSE

For asylum seekers who make it to Indonesia from the Middle East, the available countries who are signatories to the Refugee Convention 1951 and accept refugees is very limited. Indonesia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention 1951. From Indonesia to Australia only Thailand and Cambodia are signatories. The waiting period in the ‘queue’ for a refugee in Indonesia (who is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention) seeking settlement in Australia is on average 37 years.

Explanation

For asylum seekers who make it to Indonesia from the Middle East, the available countries who are signatories to the Refugee Convention 1951 and accept refugees is very limited. Indonesia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention 1951. From Indonesia to Australia only Thailand and Cambodia are signatories. The waiting period in the ‘queue’ for a refugee in Indonesia (who is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention) seeking settlement in Australia is on average 37 years.

4. Is this statement TRUE OR FALSE: "It is illegal to seek asylum in Australia without a visa."?

True

False

FALSE. There is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker. Australia is a signatory to the Refugee Convention of 1951 which means that a person is able to seek asylum in Australia by boat or plane, with documents or undocumented. They are breaking no laws under the Refugee Convention of 1951. Under the Migration Act 1958 as well as International Laws to which Australia is a signatory, "Asylum Seeker" is a legal status even if you arrive with no documents. You have the right to seek asylum without a visa in another UN country if you were being persecuted in Australia.

Explanation

FALSE. There is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker. Australia is a signatory to the Refugee Convention of 1951 which means that a person is able to seek asylum in Australia by boat or plane, with documents or undocumented. They are breaking no laws under the Refugee Convention of 1951. Under the Migration Act 1958 as well as International Laws to which Australia is a signatory, "Asylum Seeker" is a legal status even if you arrive with no documents. You have the right to seek asylum without a visa in another UN country if you were being persecuted in Australia.

5. TRUE OR FALSE: "Asylum Seekers are eligible for Centrelink Benefits in Australia"?

TRUE

FALSE

FALSE. No Asylum Seekers are eligible for Centrelink payments of any kind in Australia. Nor are they entitled to a Health Care Card, Public Housing, Settlement Services, English Programs, Job Services Australia, Traineeships or Tertiary Education. Many also have no right to even work or a Medicare Card.

Explanation

FALSE. No Asylum Seekers are eligible for Centrelink payments of any kind in Australia. Nor are they entitled to a Health Care Card, Public Housing, Settlement Services, English Programs, Job Services Australia, Traineeships or Tertiary Education. Many also have no right to even work or a Medicare Card.

6. What proportion of the worlds Asylum Seekers did Australia receive in 2009?

0.5%

15%

33%

85%

91%

Australia only received 0.5% of the world's Asylum Seekers in 2009.

Explanation

Australia only received 0.5% of the world's Asylum Seekers in 2009.

7. Complete this sentence: "Most Asylum Seekers arrive in Australia by__________."

Boat

Plane

The vast majority of Asylum Seekers arrive by plane to Australia.

Explanation

The vast majority of Asylum Seekers arrive by plane to Australia.

8. Among the world's countries, where does Australia rank for the number of Asylum Seekers it receives?

1st

5th

10th

15th

30th

Australia ranks 30th among the world's countries for the number of Asylum Seekers it receives. Australia did not even make the Top 20 of industrialized countries in 2009 in the number of refugees we received.

Explanation

Australia ranks 30th among the world's countries for the number of Asylum Seekers it receives. Australia did not even make the Top 20 of industrialized countries in 2009 in the number of refugees we received.

9. Which group of Asylum Seekers are more likely to be approved as genuine Refugees in Australia?

Those who arrive by plane

Those who arrive by boat

According to the Australian Government's own figures, up to 97% of Asylum Seekers who arrive by boat are found to be genuine Refugees. The same government figures show that the majority of Asylum Seekers who arrive by plane are not found to be genuine Refugees.

Explanation

According to the Australian Government's own figures, up to 97% of Asylum Seekers who arrive by boat are found to be genuine Refugees. The same government figures show that the majority of Asylum Seekers who arrive by plane are not found to be genuine Refugees.

10. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of a country's wealth. Where does Australia rank in the number of Asylum Seekers it receives proportional to its GDP?

10th

20th

30th

40th

70th

Proportional to GDP, Australia receives less Asylum Seekers than nearly 65 of the poorest countries in the world.

Explanation

Proportional to GDP, Australia receives less Asylum Seekers than nearly 65 of the poorest countries in the world.