Share on Twitter The United Nations has delivered a scathing rebuke of the “discriminatory” restrictions placed by the Australian government on refugees trying to reunite with family members. Australia’s current policy settings are “punitive”, “cruel” and contradict obligations under international law, according to the warning from the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees. The blunt assessment was delivered in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry currently examining the fairness of Australia’s family and partner reunion visa system. READ MORE The UN agency’s concerns are broad given the complexity of Australia's resettlement policies, which take into account pathways to Australia, place of processing and legal status.