This year, Refugee Week ran from June 14th-June 20th. Australia is experiencing a resurgence of racism, xenophobia and the spread of misinformation to stoke anti-immigrant political agendas, detracting from the real causes of cost-of-living and housing crises.
It is more important than ever that we recognise and celebrate the resilience and contributions of those who have been displaced from their home and rebuilt their lives in a new country.
Thursday the 18th of June 2026,
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
This week is Refugee Week, a time to recognise the resilience and determination of people who have been displaced and who have rebuilt their lives in a new country.
We forget that the refugee movement started after the horrors of World War II, an international call to offer a future to people with nowhere to call home. One million refugees have been welcomed to Australia since that time. It is about celebrating the contributions refugees have made to Australia, and with the incredible win of the Socceroos over the weekend against Türkiye – wow, what a game and what a team. The Socceroos are leading the charge in celebrating the diversity of their team, and quite a few members have been public about their journey to Australia as refugees.
I think we are all sick of hearing from certain political puppets about immigrants and burqa stunts. This week is a reminder that we are a nation of immigrants. I see every day the incredible contributions that people from refugee and migrant backgrounds make to the community I represent. They are our neighbours, friends, small business owners, students, essential workers and volunteers, to name a few. They help make our region the vibrant, welcoming, diverse place that it is.
Watching the Socceroos celebrate was a reminder of what modern Australia looks like. They are made up of players with family stories that are humbling and show how much resilience it takes to seek a better life. The diversity of our communities is our greatest strength. Our multicultural society is the envy of the world. We bring together different cultures, languages and experiences in pursuit of a common goal. Our diversity is not just something to acknowledge, it is to be celebrated.
