Here's what the RACS team is planning, and what we’ve been up to in the past month.
In The News
Budget 2026
RACS Centre Director and Principal Solicitor Sarah Dale penned an open letter to Angus Taylor in response to his Budget reply. We were blown away by the public response to her letter, especially on Facebook.
Lamentably, the new Budget shows continued investment into Australia’s offshore processing regime. It also revealed that the Government is expecting the program to cost the taxpayer $972 million this financial year. That’s almost $400 million more than was planned.
Advocacy
We made a submission to Federal Parliament about offshore processing and resettlement arrangements. We can’t say enough times how traumatising and overly punitive the policies are.
Meanwhile just last week, Senate estimates revealed concerning security failures and staff problems at Australia’s onshore immigration detention facilities. The Government fined Secure Journeys, the company it awarded a $2.3 billion contract, but did not disclose the amount of the fine.
Walk for Justice NSW
We celebrated National Pro Bono Day with members of the legal sector at the NSW Walk for Justice. Pro bono is critical to making justice accessible for the most vulnerable in our community. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to walk with us, and to everyone who chose to fundraise!
Mardi Gras Award winners!
We’re honoured to have been recognised at the Mardi Gras Community Awards. Together with Colours of Our Community, the Forcibly Displaced People Network, Asylum Seekers Centre and STARTTS NSW, our float won the Spirit of 1978 award. The Parade float was all about celebrating the courage, heart and newfound freedom of our LGBTQI+ clients.
Stateless Clinic visit
It’s been six years since RACS first started working with Katie Robertson and law students from Melbourne Law School’s Stateless Legal Clinic. We’re immensely proud of the legal support we’ve been able to provide to stateless children and their families around Australia, with the clinic’s help. Always great to see them at the office!
Presenting at the STARTTS Conference
RACS was at the Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference. Nabilah led a session about working with refugee women escaping gender-based violence – keep an eye out for more training opportunities on this topic, in the coming months.
Citizenship for Maggie!
Journalist, DV advocate, specialist caseworker... and now Australian citizen! A big congratulations to RACS client Maggie on this huge milestone. She was joined by her RACS lawyer Nabilah on the day of the ceremony, marking years of working together.
What's Coming Up
Recognition for RACS lawyers
RACS Supervising Senior Solicitor Ahmad Sawan is a finalist for the Partner of the Year – Pro Bono Award this week. Last month, Team Lead Senior Solicitor Genevieve Howe was a finalist for the Corporate Counsel Awards in the Not-For-Profit Lawyer category.
Giving refugees good news this tax time
With
- 120 million people displaced by war and persecution.
- Countries closing borders.
- Refugees need the good news of safety:
- $100 can connect a displaced person to a lawyer to guide them through the asylum process
- $200 can help a refugee prepare a strong application for a protection visa
- $500 can support advocacy to make Australia’s legal framework fairer for refugees
This is your chance to give life-changing legal help to families and individuals desperately seeking safety.
MORE:
Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)
Address: Eora Country, 30 Botany Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Elders of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, past, present and future, on whose traditional land we work.