The Opposition’s newly released immigration platform would embed discrimination into a system that has, for decades, been deliberately designed to be non‑discriminatory and values‑based, said Violet Roumeliotis, the CEO of SSI, which supports migrants and refugees beginning new lives in Australia. 

“Australians do not want to import poor and polarising practices we’ve seen in the US, like ICE-style enforcement and pre-arrival social media screening. We don’t want overseas immigration tactics that rely on fear, punishment and division,” she said. 

“Social cohesion is under pressure in Australia, and this rhetoric only worsens it.” 

Australia’s migration framework already includes strong values expectations, rigorous security screening and clear requirements around law‑abiding conduct. 

“This system has been operating for a long time, under both Coalition and Labor governments. We can and should improve it, but only by building on its strong foundations. 

“A fair, non‑discriminatory system is non‑negotiable. Every person should be assessed on their individual merit. It should not matter where someone comes from, what language they speak or which country they were born in.” 

Proposals to introduce subjective ‘values tests’ or expand enforcement through ICE‑style taskforces fundamentally miss the mark on where reform could genuinely benefit Australians. 

“For example, one of the most pressing issues we’re seeing in our migration settings is about responding to skills shortages. Addressing this issue should be the focus of our migration debate, not stoking culture wars,” she said. 

Ms Roumeliotis said SSI strongly condemns the targeting of vulnerable cohorts, including people arriving from Gaza, who have already been subjected to extensive security screening and unique vetting processes. 

“It is a stain on our social conscience that any sitting parliamentarian would single out people fleeing conflict for further scrutiny,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

What would genuinely strengthen Australia’s system, she said, is not harsher enforcement but a coordinated emergency settlement response, ensuring people arriving through humanitarian pathways are supported to settle well, work and contribute. 

“Australians want a migration system that reflects our national identity — fairness, opportunity and dignity — not one that imports division from overseas.” 

Media enquiries: 

Hannah Gartrell 

Head of Executive Communications and Media 

M: 0423 965 956 

E: press@ssi.org.au 

National human services provider SSI is extending its services into the Western Australia community with the appointment of new State Director Tharanga De Silva.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said Ms De Silva, who commenced today, November 24, brings a wealth of skills and vast experience in the multicultural services sector to the role, which will help strengthen and complement the work already underway across WA’s diverse communities.

“Western Australia is home to vibrant, resilient multicultural communities and many dedicated local organisations that have been leading impactful work for decades,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“Our intention is to stand alongside community leaders, partner with existing services, and offer SSI’s programs and support where it can help fill gaps or enhance local efforts.

“Our goal is to make SSI’s programs available where they can make the greatest impact. We’re extending our services to WA so more people can access additional support where they need it. This move is about working hand-in-hand with communities to design and deliver services that complement and reflect local needs.”

Ms Roumeliotis said SSI’s approach in WA will focus on partnering and co-creating solutions with community organisations, government agencies and local leaders to amplify what WA is already doing well, and to share learnings from SSI’s successful models in other states.

“With the appointment of a new state director, we are very keen to collaborate, listen and work closely with local services and community groups to strengthen the sector and offer programs that truly make a difference in the lives of the diverse communities we collectively serve.”

With a background as a lawyer, Ms De Silva is a strategic community development leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing social impact in WA and Sri Lanka. Her expertise lies in shaping multicultural policy, establishing services, and building high-impact partnerships with government, tertiary education, not-for-profit and community stakeholders.

Ms De Silva was most recently the Senior Community Development Coordinator with ASeTTS in Perth and is recognised for co-designing culturally responsive programs and delivering large-scale initiatives.

“With her deep local connections, understanding of WA’s multicultural landscape, and vast skills and knowledge, Ms De Silva is the perfect person to lead this collaborative, community-driven expansion,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in WA, building on the strong foundations already in place and contributing where our experience can add value.” 

As Australia debates how to better integrate refugees, one settlement support program is quietly redefining what refugee support looks like by turning artistic talent into sustainable creative careers.

SSI’s Creative Compass program has seen participants sell more than $40,000 worth of artwork in less than 12 months through two unique exhibitions set up on easels in a busy Sydney CBD thoroughfare.

Participating artist Hosna Saif, 21, who came to Australia 12 months ago from Afghanistan, said Creative Compass had been an incredibly powerful part of her settlement experience.

“I still remember the first time I joined Creative Compass – it was just a few weeks after I arrived in Australia as a girl without hope, a girl once denied,” she said.

“When I met the SSI staff and the artists, it felt unreal. For the first time, someone valued me and my art. They gave us not only materials but encouragement, support, and hope. Since then, we’ve had exhibitions, workshops at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and collaborations with other arts organisations. I’ve also sold many of my artworks, something I once only dreamed of.

“Creative Compass became more than a place – it became a family. Through art I found connection, confidence, and myself again.”

SSI General Manager Newcomers, Settlement and Integration Yamamah Agha said Creative Compass and the Beyond Borders exhibitions have been a huge success for the artists, proving settlement support comes in many forms.

“Not only have our refugee artists gained new skills, knowledge and connections through the program and exhibitions, they have proven they can augment their income in their new home by using their incredible creative talents,” Ms Agha said.

“The program really resonates with the new arrivals who participate, providing a comfortable settlement experience with other creatives they can relate to. To the artists, selling their pieces not only means economic independence; it means confidence, connections and a pathway to healing, integration and self-expression.”

Creative Compass invests in the artistic careers of refugee artists by offering tailored mentorship, skills development and pathways into the Australia’s arts industry. It aims to build sustainable creative careers, foster social inclusion through events, and celebrate cultural identity.

More than 200 newly arrived artists have taken part in the program since its inception, with artists from countries including Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Congo, Myanmar, Pakistan, Palestine, Iran and Iraq taking part.

Ms Agha said SSI was extremely grateful to Macquarie Group for providing a space at Martin Place Metro Station at 1 Elizabeth, Sydney, for both Beyond Borders exhibitions.

“Thousands of passersby use this thoroughfare during their busy work week, and the exhibition provided a chance for them to pause and reflect on the stories told through the artwork,” she said.

“SSI is extremely proud of the 20 artists who have worked so hard on this project, and we congratulate them on the success of the exhibitions. We know this is just the start of their successful creative careers here in Australia and we can’t wait to hear what they achieve next.”

The unsold pieces displayed in the Beyond Borders exhibition can be viewed and purchased on the SSI website, where you can also find information on all the artists.

Leading provider of multicultural out-of-home care services SSI has welcomed a landmark report from the Australian Human Rights Commission that places children’s voices at the centre of national reform efforts.

The A Ground to Grow From report, based on consultations with over 500 children — including those with lived experience of care and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds — offers a blueprint for a more inclusive and responsive care system.

SSI Executive General Manager, Service Delivery Eric Harper said it was heartening to see the consultations that formed the basis for this report use innovate ways to hear children’s voices within a child-centred approach, with particular recognition of the intersectional identities of Australia’s children, including First Nations and CALD communities. 

“This report is a powerful reminder that children’s voices must shape the systems designed to support them. We particularly welcome the emphasis on belonging, identity, and cultural connection as essential to children’s wellbeing in care,” he said. 

SSI supports many of the report’s recommendations and urges the Australian government and the Department of Social Services (DSS) to take them forward in the upcoming refresh of the National Standards for out-of-home care.  

In particular, SSI echoes the call for agencies to place child rights at the centre of policy and program design, including providing opportunities for meaningful participation and feedback by children on five key national government strategies. 

“We also encourage DSS to integrate children’s perspectives into the policy review and developmentof the National Standards in out-of-home care.  It is particularly important to ensure children with lived experience of the out-of-home-care system are involved in an advisory role,” he said. 

“We commend the AHRC on prioritising children’s voices, including in its recommendation to involve children in the development, design and measurement of their care plans, including cultural plans.” 

SSI’s own policy brief on the development, safety and wellbeing of Australia’s culturally diverse children also sets out a number of recommendations that we encourage DSS to consider during this period of reform. 

This includes a clear framework for a culturally responsive early intervention system to address harm and neglect among CALD families, and stronger policy and practice to uphold cultural connections for CALD children in care.  

Mr Harper said these priorities reflect SSI’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds are supported to thrive, with their cultural identity and lived experiences respected and upheld. 

“We look forward to working with incoming National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris and government partners to ensure these recommendations are implemented in full, so that Australia’s children have a system that listens to them, values their identity, and supports their right to grow in safe, nurturing environments,” Mr Harper said.