Seminar on Understanding Statelessness in Australian Law with Professor Michelle Foster

On Tuesday afternoon, CityUHK School of Law (SLW) had the privilege of hosting Professor Michelle FOSTER, the Dean and William Hearn Professor of Law at Melbourne Law School and a leading international authority on refugee law, human rights and statelessness, for a seminar on one of the most under-discussed yet significant issues in Australian Law and Practice: statelessness. The session was moderated by Professor FANG Meng Mandy, Assistant Professor of SLW.

In a major multi-year research project funded by the Australian Research Council, Prof. Foster examines Australia’s historical role in addressing statelessness, assesses the current presence and needs of stateless individuals, and evaluates how legal and governmental systems respond to their claims.

Drawing on preliminary findings from empirical interviews, the study reveals a significant protection gap, with many individuals facing prolonged detention, legal uncertainty, and social exclusion. Prof. Foster concluded the presentation with calls for reforms, including a formal statelessness determination procedure (SDP), clearer legal definitions, and improved pathways to citizenship and support services.

We extend our gratitude to Prof. Foster for the invaluable insights and to the engaged audience for a productive exchange.