HOME
	ABOUT US
	Who we are
	About the Campaign
	INFORMATION
	Past Actions
	Media Centre
	Links + Articles
	HOW YOU CAN HELP
	Take Action!
	Contact Us
	GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT! Debunking the Myths...
	They are Queue jumpers
	Asylum seekers are illegal
	We already take too many
	We're swamped by hordes
	They're not real refugees
	They must be 'cashed up'
	They'll take our benefits
	No option to detention
	More myths debunked...

Subscribe to our Boat People mailing list for occasional updates and campaign alerts...

MYTH 3 - Australia Already Takes Too Many Refugees

Fact: Australia receives relatively few refugees by world standards.

In 2001 Australia will receive only 12,000 refugees through its humanitarian program. This number has remained static for three years, despite the ever-increasing numbers of refugees worldwide. Australia accepted 20,000 refugees each year at the beginning of the 1980's.

According to Amnesty International 1 in every 115 people on earth are refugees, and a new refugee is created every 21 seconds. Refugees re-settle all over the world. However, the distribution of refugees across the world is very unequal.

• Tanzania hosts one refugee for every 76 Tanzanian people (1:76)
• Britain hosts one refugee for every 530 British people. (1:530)
• Australia hosts one refugee for every 1583 Australian people. (1:1583)

download 'Debunking the Myths'.

*All Debunking the Myths copy and facts kindly provided by the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education