27 We also note that these figures may count certain stateless persons twice; for example, it is possible that of the 753 stateless persons awaiting Temporary Visa determinations (category (E) above), some are also currently on Bridging Visas, and thus are included in the overall number of stateless persons on Bridging E Visas (category (C) above). However, is not possible to determine this level of detail based on the limited nature of published information. 28 With no coordinated approach to collecting information about stateless persons in Australia, difficulties therefore exist in identifying and researching the extent of Australia’s stateless population, demonstrating ‘the invisibility of the predicament of stateless persons’.50 29 Despite these available statistics, Australia has routinely either not provided data to the UNHCR, or reported that there are ‘zero’ stateless persons in Australia. In 2017, for the first time, Australia reported ‘52’ stateless persons in Australia.51 In 2018 Australia reported ‘132’ stateless persons to the UNHCR, or approximately 3% of the known number of stateless persons currently in Australia, based on the above figures.52 30 Curiously, in 2019, UNHCR’s reporting of stateless persons in Australia is recorded as a ‘-‘, indicating that Australia either reported zero stateless persons, or the data was ‘unavailable’.53 Australia’s 2011 Pledge 31 In 2011, the UNHCR hosted a Ministerial Intergovernmental Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons. 62 States made pledges relating to statelessness. The Australian Government pledged: ‘to better identify stateless persons and assess their claims. Australia is committed to minimising the incidence of statelessness and to ensuring that stateless persons are treated no less favourably than people with an identified nationality. Australia will continue to work with UNHCR, civil society and interested parties to progress this pledge’.54 32 This pledge is to be commended, serving as a foundational mechanism for the necessary development and implementation of strong protections within Australia’s legal framework for stateless persons. 33 However, little action has been taken to fulfil the commitment made or make meaningful attempts to address statelessness. Instead, mere internal departmental procedures were established to determine statelessness and the Australian Government refused to consider the creation of a dedicated visa.55 These procedures are inadequate and still provide ‘no legislative basis for determining statelessness’.56 50 Foster, McAdam and Wadley, ‘The Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness in Australia: An Ongoing Challenge’ (n 5) 497, 505. UNHCR, Global Trends – Forced Displacement in 2017 (2018) 64. 52 UNHCR, Global Trends – Forced Displacement in 2018 (2019) 65. 53 According the UNHCR’s Report regarding global trends in forced displacement for 2019, a dash in the data table ("-") indicates that the value is zero, not available or not applicable: UNHCR, Global Trends – Forced Displacement in 2019 (2020) 78. 54 UNHCR, Pledges 2011: Ministerial Intergovernmental Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons (Geneva, Palais de Nations, 7–8 December 2011) (2012) 51. 55 Foster, McAdam and Wadley, ‘The Protection of Stateless Persons in Australian Law: The Rationale for the Statelessness Determination Procedure’ (n 33) 415. 56 Foster, McAdam and Wadley, ‘The Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness in Australia: An Ongoing Challenge’ (n 5) 497. 51 7