Regulating Refugee Protection Through Social Welfare: Law, Policy and Praxis

This book examines the use and abuse of social welfare as a means of border control for asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, offering a critical analysis of the regulation and deterrence of protection seekers through the denial or depletion of social welfare supports. It includes contributions from legal scholars, social scientists, behavioral scientists, and philosophers, as well as the critical insights and knowledge supplied by refugees. The book is organized in three parts, with Part One exploring a rights-based analysis of Australias 'hostile environment for protection seekers, Part Two uncovering and exploring the lived experiences and adverse impacts of different social welfare restrictions, and Part Three offering distinct views on human rights advocacy movements and methods.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive analysis delves into the intricate dynamics of social welfare as a tool employed by Australia to control asylum seekers and refugees, shedding light on both its intended and unintended consequences. Drawing from a diverse range of perspectives, including legal scholars, social scientists, behavioral scientists, and philosophers, the book offers a scathing critique of the regulation and deterrence of protection seekers through the denial or depletion of social welfare supports. Organized into three parts, each framed by a commentary that serves as an introduction and provides pertinent comparative perspectives from Europe, the book explores the rights-based analysis of Australia's "hostile environment for protection seekers," the devastating consequences of welfare policing of asylum seekers as a form of "necropolitics," and a unique philosophical perspective that underpins the scrutiny of Australia's policing of asylum seekers.

In Part Two, the book delves into the lived experiences and adverse impacts of various social welfare restrictions imposed on refugee protection seekers. Through in-depth narratives and empirical evidence, it uncovers the human toll of these policies, highlighting the struggles, hardships, and injustices faced by individuals seeking safety and a new life. The chapters in Part Three offer distinct viewpoints on human rights advocacy movements and methods, exploring the potential for resistance and change to the current status quo.

This book is of immense relevance to an international readership, as well as to those within Australia, with interests in the fields of human rights, immigration and refugee law, social welfare law/policy, social work, and public health. It serves as a powerful testament to the complexities and challenges of managing migration and protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals, offering valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032288062