RANZCP Position Statement 46: A missed opportunity to provide sophisticated guidance on asylum seeker and refugee policy

Abstract

Objective: To stimulate discussion on how the RANZCP can contribute more constructively to the debate over Australia's immigration policies.; Conclusions: Updated in March 2024, RANZCP Position Statement 46, titled: 'The provision of mental health services for asylum seekers and refugees', continues the College's advocacy for a compassionate stance towards asylum seekers and refugees on the grounds of preventing or improving their mental health. College statements over the last decade have raised concerns about policies that are designed to deter boat arrivals; and recently, have endorsed the High Court's NZYQ decision to mandate community release of detained non-Australian citizens deemed to have failed 'the character test' under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) . The College appears to have avoided addressing public concern about how a high asylum seeker and refugee inflow may impact community cohesion and prosperity. RANZCP's reputation will be enhanced by ensuring more extensive explication of reasoning and rebuttal of counter arguments for the position it has taken on this complex political issue.; Competing Interests: DisclosureThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: JS is employed by International Health and Medical Services which is a company subcontracted to the Department of Home Affairs to provide health services to people in immigration detention.