…to those who still don't understand "it could so easily be ME"
Tonight (1 April, 2019) on Australia's national public broadcaster, the long running documentary series, "Australian Story" will focus on someone who isn't allowed to ever be Australian and, although he has committed no crime, is regularly vilified by many Australians, including members of the current Australian government. But Australia has shaped the last five years …
Continue reading "The “Australian Story” of Behrouz Boochani"
As many of us feel relief at the passing of the medical evacuation bill (and others don't), it may be controversial to introduce a different perspective. Even so, there might just be some other aspects of the issue worth thinking about: Why did Australian politicians spend so much time debating multiple aspects of the issue …
The Australian government has just indicated that the final four children who had been left on Nauru have been accepted for resettlement in the US with their families. Good news? Probably more relief that at least one vulnerable group is soon to be no longer subjected to a punishment they never deserved. It is always …
Continue reading "Last Children off Nauru … credit where credit’s due"
It has just been announced that from Manus Island, Iranian-born refugee Behrouz Boochani has won both the non-fiction prize and the prize for literature at the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards for his book, 'No Friend but the Mountains'. The Guardian's full report is here. Will this lead to any change in the major parties' adherence …
Continue reading "Detained asylum seeker wins Australia’s richest literary prize"
The people of Biloela have fought long and hard for the family of four who was taken away from them so suddenly. And yet the importance of that family remaining in the place that is their home has been overlooked and they are about to be deported to Sri Lanka. But there is one last …
The Urgent Medical Treatment Bill will be introduced to the Lower House of the Australian parliament next Monday (3 December) by a group of crossbenchers led by new MP Dr Kerryn Phelps. Essentially the bill will require the urgent evacuation of any asylum seeker who is ill and unable to be treated offshore, on the recommendation …
Suicide attempt as Manus refugees moved for APEC Manus Island medical crisis overshadowed by Nauru 'Let us free' - Manus refugees write to APEC leaders These three important stories (click on the links above to read the details) have been released by Radio New Zealand over the last two weeks … and now the …
Continue reading "MANUS: Suicide attempt, Medical Crisis, APEC …"
Following news of multiple recent evacuations of ill children from Nauru and a comment by a former Immigration Minister that all detained children will be off the island by year's end, hopes have been raised that there is positive change in the Australian government's approach towards people seeking asylum. There's no doubt that only 40 …
Continue reading "Progress in Australia’s Treatment of People Seeking Asylum ?"
The Australian Parliament might be shifting. Not anywhere near enough. But something is better than nothing when people are suffering purely because of the decision-making of Australian politicians. Andrew Wilkie (IND), Adam Bandt (Greens) and Rebekha Sharkie (Centre Alliance) have introduced the Migration Amendment (Kids Off Nauru) Bill 2018 which seeks to amend the Migration …
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are speaking out against Nauru detention … and you can join them. MSF launched psychological and psychiatric services on Nauru in November 2017. Ten days ago, on October 5, the government of Nauru informed MSF that services were "no longer required" and requested that MSF end activities …
Continue reading "‘Doctors Without Borders’/MSF demand END TO OFFSHORE PROCESSING"
