We are deeply concerned about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Over 20,000 innocent civilians have been killed with the majority being women, children and babies. 1.7 million people have been internally displaced and there is no safe place of refuge.  

We commend the Australian government in accepting Palestinians fleeing the conflict in Gaza. The Australian government has a proud recent history in supporting Ukrainians and Afghans fleeing conflict by providing humanitarian settlement support through the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP).  

The Humanitarian Settlement Program is a  well established infrastructure that is able  to provide vital support to new arrivals. The government also issued Ukrainian and Afghan arrivals temporary humanitarian  visas, which provided access to a range of  supports including: 

• Case management assistance through HSP
• Income support
• Work rights
• Medicare access 
• Schooling 
•  The right for adults to attend english classes through AMEP
• Access to education and training services for adults

At present, Palestinians arriving from Gaza  on visitors visas have no access to work rights, Medicare, HSP support, income support or schooling. They are completely reliant on their family,  community, and charities to provide essential services.   

We call on the Australian government to: 

• Issue newly arrived Gazans temporary humanitarian visas immediately so they are given access to case management support, Medicare, work rights, study rights, schooling, and income support.  

• Expedite Palestinians protection visa claims given Palestinians have no right of return to their home country and the scale of devastation in Gaza. This will provide Palestinian arrivals certainty about their future and access to essential supports. 

• Give Palestinian arrivals humanitarian settlement support through HSP. Access to immediate settlement support through HSP will ensure people are linked in with essential services and to help them integrate and adjust to Australian life.  

• Allow Palestinian children to enrol in school. This will enhance a child's development and integration into the community  

• Provide easily accessible information to the Australian public on how the $25 million pledged by the Australian government to the Palestinian community in Australia has been distributed. Sponsors of Palestinian arrivals are desperately reaching out to services for support given the complex psychosocial, health, and mental health needs of arrivals. This will alleviate the burden being placed on the Australian Palestinian community (who are traumatised by events in their home country) and NGOs to provide new arrivals settlement support.