Response from Neil Mitchell

In relation to this FactCheck, The Conversation asked broadcaster Neil Mitchell for sources to support for his assertion that welfare payments for refugees are estimated to cost $100 million a year and that they have a 97% unemployment rate. He sent the following response:

Below are the sources. My attention was originally taken by the story in the Aus last week. The others carry links to the main report of the institute.

I confess to one error. I did similar on radio and corrected it. I said 97% unemployed and it should have been 93%. For some reason I had the seven per cent employment rate in my head and linked it that way.

REFUGEE COST: The Australian’s story here.

This PDF of Aus. Institute of Family Affairs report

This Fact Sheet on Aus. Institute of Family Affairs report.