The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) welcomes the Federal Government changes to increase access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge MP announced changes including the removal of the 5-year limit in which eligible adult migrants and refugee can access the scheme.

Over the years, our communities and members indicated to us that learning English increases their opportunities and build their level of confidence to participate and involve in greatness that Australia offers. Mr Piri Piri, chairperson of RCAA said “learning English languages is not an only factor of successful settlement for refugees and migrants but an important aspect of a successful settlement of refugees and migrants to participate and we applauded these flexible changes”. RCAA is looking forward to work with the Federal government on the details of the proposed measures”, he said.

Also, RCAA and its members are pleased that the government has acknowledged a long overdue call. We believe refugee and migrant communities contribute enormously to Australia society in many ways. Hakeem al-Araibi, Australian Footballer and RCAA Patron said, “learning English is a pathway to a successful journey of healing and meaningful integration for refugees and migrants’ communities into a diverse and vibrant multicultural Australia”.

Parsu Sharma Luital JP, Former Refugee and RCAA General Secretary said, “Flexible learning of English has allowed members of newly resettled Bhutanese communities to be productive members of Australia’s family and grateful that the government has finally realised the significant of flexible English language learning”.

RCAA cautiously welcomes the Government announced changes to the citizenship test Australian which will include new questions on Australian values, and the Australian Values Statement. RCAA believe that our unique values of respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, and a spirit of fairness that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and concern for each other is the anchor and glue that make us and Australia great and successful immigration story in the world.

Elijah Buol OAM, RCAA Executive Director said, “Citizenship is our identity and pride that bonds us together and advances Australia-fair which we need to reflect in our deeds and actions all the time and the government needs to ensure that these changes shouldn’t become a barrier for people to get citizenship”. “They are wide-reaching ingredients which makes us great and uniquely Australians” he said.

RCAA is led by refugee communities and their members in every states and territory as a unified peak national body that advocates for people of refugee background with lived experience in Australia.

For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]