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RACS urges greater protection of asylum seeker children
Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) has called for an independent guardian to be assigned to unaccompanied children seeking protection in Australia.
Emma Musgrave
Source: racs.org.au/my-working-week-sarah-dale-racs-principal-solicitor/
Speaking at the Children, Migration and Right to Health Conference on Friday, RACS principal solicitor Sarah Dale urged for unaccompanied asylum seeker children in Australia to be supplied with an independent guardian who can advocate for their wellbeing.
Currently, the minister for immigration was appointed the guardian of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in Australia, creating a conflict of interest and leaving them without a voice who can advocate for their best interests, she added.
“The majority of these vulnerable children have suffered greatly and experienced unimaginable trauma,” Ms Dale said.
“They land in a foreign country, not speaking the language, away from their family members, and there is no one to independently manage important decisions surrounding their safety, health, wellbeing and application for protection. They are completely alone and Australia is failing children seeking asylum by not providing this support.
“Having the role of an independent guardian would pave the way for a key decision maker to consider the best interests not only for unaccompanied children, but for all children seeking asylum in Australia.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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