19 June 2019

Dear <<First Name>> 

Meeting Notice

L4R will meet next Wednesday 26 June at 6pm in the Boardroom on Level 36, State Chambers,
52 Martin Place Sydney (entrance from Phillip St).

PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION IS BACK IN THE BOARDROOM IN MARTIN PLACE.

If you experience an access problem when you arrive, please call me on my mobile 0404 532 249.

I stated in our last newsletter, sent in the week prior to the federal election, that I had no idea who would win the election and unfortunately, we all know the outcome.  It was however,  very heartening to see so many Labor for Refugees members turn up at our May meeting (some of them new), which took place in the week following the disastrous election result.  We are all even more determined to keep fighting for better refugee policies in Australia.

A discussion took place about the various activities we'd like to undertake this year.  In particular, the meeting felt that it was important to send a message to the new Shadow Minister for Home Affairs/Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Kristina Keneally, with a copy to the new Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese.

Our letter set out our vision for the next three years and urged them to keep up the fight for improvements to this country's refugee policies.

Our letter can be read at L4RKeepUpTheFight4-6-19
 

Manus Island

We also sent a letter on the 1 June last, to the new Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape, urging him to call on the Australian Government to remove all asylum seekers on Manus Island within a period of 30 days.

Our letter can be viewed at L4RtoPNG-PM

Refugee Week

One of our L4R members Dr Sabrin Farooqui, who is the Chairperson of the Shakti Refugee & Migrant Women's Support Group NSW, has organised an event for Refugee Week on behalf of this group.  It will take place this Thursday evening. This group is a specialist provider of culturally competent services for immigrant and refugees women and children of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origins.
 
The event will provide an opportunity for people who reside in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, to celebrate the immense courage, resilience and valuable contributions made by refugees to our Australian society.
 
The following three organisations will partner Shakti for this event and representative from each of these organisations will give a short speech.
 
1. Nobodhara News
2. Labor for Refugees
3. Grandmothers against Detention of Refugee Children.
 
Some refugees have also been invited who will share their stories.
 
We are very pleased that our NSW Co-convenor Jenny Haines will speak for us at this function.
 
Details are:
 
Date:     20 June 2019 (Thursday)
Time:     5.45pm for 6pm start. Finish at 7pm
Venue:   Meeting room of Lakemba Senior Citizens Centre, cnr of The Boulevarde & Croydon Street,
               Lakemba
Light refreshments will be served

Banner for Thursday's event RefugeeWeekBanner
Everyone is welcome to attend.

Introducing the Kaldor Centre Principles for Australian Refugee Policy

Last week, UNSW Chancellor David Gonski AC, launched the Kaldor Centre Principles for Australian Refugee Policy.

These Principles are grounded in evidence and informed by good practices from other countries, as well as from Australia’s past.

They provide real-world examples of how, and why, Australia can develop a better refugee policy.

Australia has a rich history of welcoming refugees since 1945, and can draw on our past experiences – as well as good, current practices from overseas – to create a more positive, sustainable, long-term refugee policy.
You may be interested to read the full Kaldor Centre Principles for Australian Refugee Policy or read the summary and key priorities.

Regards

Nizza Siano
Secretary L4R NSW
email:  contact@labor4refugees.com