morepraxis

Opposition leaves Christian values behind

The policy announcement today by the Federal Opposition in relation to asylum seekers is disappointing in the extreme. Here is a media release we’ve put out today. I’d encourage you, if you feel the same way, to express your view, to your local MP.
‘The use of asylum seekers for political point-scoring [...]

Anyone else feel like indefinite detention is making and election comeback?
Here is Al’s official UCA response.
Media Release pdf
9 April 2010
Uniting Church condemns suspension of Afghan, Sri Lankan visas
President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair Macrae has condemned the announcement today by
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Immigration Minister Chris Evans that Australia has [...]

[ October 26, 2009; 12:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Tampa, SIEV X … Never again

Vigil to Welcome Refugees

Demand a fair deal for asylum seekers

Process the asylum seekers’ claims and offer them safety in Australia

Monday 26 October

5.30pm

Federation Square

Bring your own messages of support for the refugees, placards and banners etc.

Organised by Refugee Action Collective. Supported by the Tamil Community.

For information: phone Marie 0409 252673 or [...]

Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project and the Uniting Church Justice and International Mission Unit invite you to an evening exploring the recent Government policy changes around asylum seekers.
The evening will be a chance to celebrate the dedicated advocacy and campaigning that made these changes possible and to hear from ASP case workers about how much [...]

Dear friends
Please drop everything and do two things that could raise $60,000 for asylum seekers in need of our help, and will certainly raise awareness of the harsh conditions they face every day!
1. Go to http://www1.canon.com.au/creativeforacause/Photo/Gallery.aspx?photo=4A4BCAC8E98D7278 and vote for the photo shown there. It is a? photo from the exhibition “Made in Australia: Stranded between [...]

Christmas Island is no place to detain children
?
This morning, dozens of children – under the watchful eye of the Australian Government – were escorted to school by guards. This evening the children will return to a fenced facility on a remote island and do their homework in demountable buildings, while they ponder their plight. Sound [...]

Hi Guys – please download, get your groups to sign at return to this petition by the end of October so Mark can put some pressure on. Thanks http://victas.uca.org.au/main.php?pg=download&id=241250
Details from J.I.M
In May 2008 the Rudd Government announced Temporary Protection Visas (TPV?s) would be abolished. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced that people found to [...]

After campaigning with others on refugee and asylum seeker issues since 2001, TEAR, UCA, RAC, GetUp and all the rest can join the celebrations.
(Ben’s take from the tear network below)
The Immigration Minister has proposed changes to make detention of aslyum-seekers a last resort and put in place clear boundaries so that it cannot be indefinite [...]