Executive Summary “Citizenship to me means protection and certainty for my children. ‘There is a huge difference in this world for children with citizenship, and those without it.’ — Aisha, stateless Rohingya mother of one Children born on Australian soil are not guaranteed Australian citizenship. Citizenship is foundational to a child’s sense of identity and belonging, providing them with fundamental rights. Importantly, for children of stateless refugees it can also offer security and safety; a place to call home and build a future. Without it, I fear they have no future.” Pathways to permanent protection are extremely limited — and indeed in the majority of cases, prohibited — for refugees that arrive in Australia by boat seeking asylum after 19 July 2013.1 — Amir, stateless Palestinian father of four In 2014 the Australian Government reintroduced the Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) and introduced the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) limiting the duration of protection available to refugees and prohibiting them from accessing a range of essential services.2 The reintroduction of TPVs followed the reinstatement of Australia’s policy of offshore processing in August 2012, and then mandatory offshore processing in July 2013, whereby children (including those born in Australia) of parents who arrived by boat are taken to Nauru and prohibited from ever applying for any form of protection in Australia under law.3 Simply by virtue of the mode by which their parents arrived to seek asylum, children born on Australian soil are condemned to a life of limbo. Those lucky enough to be allowed to apply for a temporary visa live a life characterized by uncertainty; despite being recognized as refugees they must reapply for temporary protection every three to five years. Many others are completely prohibited from applying for any form of Australian visa (temporary or otherwise) and live under strict conditions in Australia on a ‘transitory’ basis, at risk of removal at any time, often with very little notice.4 For these children, Australia is the only home they have ever known. Their legal status as ‘stateless’ (discussed below) means they have no country to ‘return’ to, having inherited no nationality from their parents.5 The precarious temporary basis upon which they remain in Australia means their chance to grow and develop as individuals in a secure environment — the opportunity to be children with hopes and dreams for the future — is overshadowed by a perpetual lack of certainty regarding their ability to remain here. Many children in need of protection are therefore no longer afforded permanent protection and resettlement in Australia. Executive Summary 2 Executive Summary 3