refugees

Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees 2018

The  2018 Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees is on March 25, at the State Library Melbourne (Corner Swanston & Elizabeth Streets) at 2.00pm. With music and “Warm up” activities from 1.30 PM The Walk will be starting at the State Library and take a route that returns to finish at the State Library. Confirmed speakers for the event in Melbourne include: Tim Costello, Chief Advocate World Vision Australia Abdul Aziz Adam live from Manus Island. Aziz is a…

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Economic Migrants or Refugees? Research and Facts from RCOA

For many years, Australian politicians and other public figures have debated whether or not asylum seekers reaching Australia by boat have serious claims for refugee protection or are merely “economic migrants”. To answer this question, the Refugee Council of Australia has analysed Australian Government statistics about visa outcomes for boat arrivals from 1976 to 30 June 2015 – and found that 81% of those who arrived by boat seeking asylum in Australia were found to be refugees. Find our more…

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Out of the Darkness. Amazing Exhibition Returns to Queenscliff, 6th Feb.

You are invited to experience an amazing exhibition, ‘Out of the Darkness’, at the Queenscliff Uniting Church Hall, corner of Hesse & Stokes Streets, Queenscliff, from Saturday 6th February to Sunday 14th February, 10am. – 5pm. daily. Free Entry. Step into a labyrinth of white spaces, gentle music, the light of many candles, and artworks that will shock, touch and inspire you. This exhibition has been travelling throughout regional Victoria over the past year. Its return to Queenscliff provides an…

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Migration Act stripped of human rights protections

President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, has welcomed the efforts of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers to respond to the tragic loss of life at sea. Professor Triggs said the practical recommendations for a regional cooperation and protection framework, and significant increases in resettlement places in Australia for refugees, will contribute to reducing the risk of further maritime disasters. She has urged the government to implement these recommendations as soon as possible. “I am concerned…

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Houston Committee Report on Asylum Seekers Disappoints

The Uniting Church in Australia has expressed its disappointment in the recommendations of the Houston Committee and called for a new beginning in the national debate on asylum seekers. “Today’s Expert Panel report is another fork in the road in this vexed debate,” said Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director of the Uniting Church’s justice unit, UnitingJustice Australia. “As a representative of a Church that has long advocated for a more compassionate treatment of asylum seekers, we cannot welcome the re-introduction…

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