21 JULY 1947

SECRET

AGREEMENT

Between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the
Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organisation

The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia (hereinafter
referred to as the Commonwealth) and the Preparatory Commission of
the International Refugee Organisation (hereinafter referred to as
PCIRO) have agreed as follows regarding immigration into Australia
of Refugees and Displaced Persons within the Meaning of the
Resolution adopted by the Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations on the 16th February, 1946.

1. NUMBER AND TYPES OF IMMIGRANTS
a. The Commonwealth will from time to time submit to PCIRO (at
Geneva) particulars of the numbers and qualifications of desired
immigrants. The first of these lists will be submitted within 30
days after approval of the Agreement'
b. The Commonwealth estimates that during the balance of 1947 the
number of workers and dependents desired will approximate a total
of 4000 persons.

2. SELECTION OF IMMIGRANTS
a. The Commonwealth shall have the full right of selection by
officers of the Department of Immigration of the Commonwealth and
the Commonwealth will advise PCIRO from time to time of the names
and functions of officers nominated for this purpose.

b. The Commonwealth agrees that selection of immigrants will be
carried out without discrimination as to race or religion.

c. PCIRO will be responsible for instituting such preliminary
selection procedure as may be required by the Commonwealth.

d. PCIRO reserves the right to allocate the recruitment of
immigrants for final selection by officers of the Commonwealth to
the various Occupied Zones of Germany and Austria, and to the
Middle East, Italy or elsewhere.

3. RELATIVES AND DEFENDANTS
a. Heads of family units selected may be accompanied by all
members of their immediate family and by such other relatives as
are dependent on the head of the family and who live with him.

Other cases deserving special consideration from humanitarian
standpoints will be examined individually by the Commonwealth.

b. Any selected immigrant who goes to Australia unaccompanied by
relatives or dependents shall, after three months residence in
Australia, have the right to nominate such relatives and
dependents for admission, and the Commonwealth agrees to grant
such admission providing the worth of the immigrant has been
satisfactorily demonstrated and provided the immigrant is in a
position to receive and support the dependents after their arrival
in Australia.

4. TRANSPORTATION
a. All expenses incurred in moving selected immigrants to
Australia shall be met by PCIRO, and PCIRO will also be
responsible for providing the means of transport.

b. The Commonwealth agrees to make an ex gratia payment to PCIRO
of an amount of 10 per adult towards the extra costs incurred by
PCIRO in moving immigrants to Australian ports as compared with
the cost of moving them to South American ports.

5. RECEPTION AND PLACEMENT
The Commonwealth will advise PCIRO regarding the port(s) of
disembarkation
and accepts full responsibility for receiving, forwarding, and the
settling or placing of immigrants in employment in Australia.

6. LEGAL STATUS
a. Immigrants to Australia become subject to all laws of the
Commonwealth and of the state of residence.

b. The Commonwealth guarantees to immigrants all rights and
liberties granted by law to foreigners resident in Australia.

c. The Commonwealth agrees that immigrants may be granted
Australian citizenship in accordance with the provisions of the
laws of the Commonwealth.

7. LEGAL AND POLITICAL PROTECTION
The legal and political protection of immigrants after their
arrival in Australia will be assumed by PCIRO acting under the
provisions of the Constitution of the International Refugee
Organisation in such matters.

8. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
a. The Commonwealth will provide regular employment for all
persons coming under this Agreement. It requires that workers
agree to remain for at least one year in the employment accepted.

b. Immigrants will, after their arrival in Australia, enjoy
exactly the same living conditions and wages as Australian workers
performing similar work and will be treated in exactly the same
manner and without discrimination in the case of unemployment.

They will be allowed to join trade unions in the same manner as
Australian citizens.

9. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
a. The Commonwealth agrees to issue visas and entry permits
without cost to the immigrants or to PCIRO.

b. The Commonwealth agrees to admit to Australia, duty free, all
the personal belongings, including tools of trade, of selected
immigrants and dependents.

10. RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
The Commonwealth agrees to the appointment by PCIRO of a resident
representative in Australia.

Signed at Geneva, Switzerland, this 21st day of July, 1947.

For the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee
Organisation.

(Signed) AJ. ALTMEYER
Executive Secretary

For the Government of the
Commonwealth of Australia.

(Signed) ARTHUR A. CALWELL
Minister for Immigration