Today I phoned my local MP – Michael Danby – to express my disapproval of what is happening on Manus Island to the asylum seekers and refugees there in our name. You might consider writing in a similar vein to your own MP. The Labor members and Senators in particular need to feel that they… Read More Humanitarian Crisis on Manus Island
The politics of fear is an easy method to engage people to your cause and convince them that they need to surrender many of the rights and freedoms that they have come to value. The right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the right to freedom of movement, the right to your good… Read More The politics of fear and misuse of information
‘The Australian Government’s announced change in legal status and withdrawal of support to refugees and asylum-seekers is a blatant attempt to coerce the most vulnerable to return to Papua New Guinea, Nauru, or their countries of origin. Removing accommodation and financial support leaves people at serious risk of destitution in Australia. Equally, the withdrawal of… Read More UNHCR – Australia should not coerce vulnerable people to return to harm
Stop the Traffik have reminded us: Things are improving but we are nowhere near where we need to be yet! The good news is that after two years of campaigning Woolworths and Coles have both released policies seeing them sourcing their own branded chocolate products to an internationally recognised standard by 2020. Aldi and Haigh’s… Read More Will you have a “Slavery Free” Easter?
The ongoing confusion about the future of the Australia-US refugee resettlement arrangement requires urgent leadership from Australia’s politicians. As political games are played in Canberra and Washington, the real victims are the refugees who have been left languishing in Nauru and Manus for 4 years. Enough is enough. People have suffered for too long because… Read More Australia cannot rely on Trump – It’s time to #BringThemHere
Long-time Human Rights campaigner and Edmund Rice colleague, Phil Glendenning, was honoured in the Australia Day honours list this past Australia Day. This was wel-deserved,and recognised Phil’s long journey together with Indigenous Peoples and Refugees to achieve their aspirations to have their rightful place in our world, and especially in our own country, recognised. The… Read More Recognition for Phil Glendenning AM
“This Christmas and holiday season, many of us will be spending time with people who are very quick to recite what they hear on talkback radio or read in the tabloid press. That’s why we’ve put together The Edmund Rice Centre’s Guide to Speaking up for Social Justice this Christmas. The Guide has been developed… Read More A Message from Ed Rice Centre Homebush
The latest announcement from the Turnbull Government raises many more questions than answers when it comes to the future of those people who were on Manus and Nauru who have been brought to Australia for medical and other treatment. What of those who have been psychologically damaged? one report yesterday suggested that they will need… Read More More Questions than Answers
Following some re-arrangements of tasks for 2017, I will not be responsible for Social Justice & Advocacy for the Oceania Province. Hence the slight change in the banner on the front page of this Blog. I intend to keep this Blog going in any case, as a ‘private’ effort, and hope that it provides a… Read More News for 2017!
Today I have written to a number of ALP MPs and Senators in the following terms: I wish to register my strong disapproval of the proposed restrictions upon those who have sought refuge in Australia by arriving by boat after 19th July 2013. As if indefinite Off-Shore detention is not punishment enough, they are now… Read More Letter to ALP Members & Senators
