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Australian asylum policy
ACRT Media Release |
30 June 2021 7,000 are waiting in limbo, need safety Currently, there are over 7,000 refugees waiting offshore. These people have already been granted permanent humanitarian visas to enter Australia but are still waiting offshore after been denied entry when the borders closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stuck in transit, many live without the right to work, study or travel freely. Families with sick children cannot access the healthcare they desperately need. Many have been stuck in this uncertainty for years, frightened and hoping for a better future. Little has been done by the government to change the barriers to entry for the vast majority of these 7000 people. The Refugee Council of Australia (RCA) and UNHCR have called on the government to apply a blanket travel exemption for humanitarian visa holders, advocating for all of them to be allowed into Australia to start a new life – as they were promised. Since August 2020, Australia has rejected 1,251 out of 1,826 applications for travel exemptions from refugees already granted protection by the government, according to Department of Home Affairs data obtained by SBS. Australia’s human rights record The latest tracker by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) showed no improvement in Australia’s human rights record in 2020, in particular relating to those most at risk of rights abuses. A HRMI spokesperson said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disabilities, people with low socioeconomic status, and refugees and asylum seekers were shown to be at risk of violations of every right measured by the tracker.
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Media Release
ACRT Media Release |
20 June 2021 Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce shares vision of new season of community support for refugees and asylum seekers In a meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday 17th June, a delegation from the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) met with the office of the Hon Alex Hawke MP Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs to share the churches’ vision for a new partnership and a new season. At the simplest level, the ACRT is calling on the Australian Government to:
Ms. Elizabeth Stone, General Secretary at the National Council of Churches in Australia explained that “Our churches, and other faith communities, are willing and able to be more involved in supporting refugees in our communities, and there is an existing groundswell of activity in many parts of Australia supporting people on temporary visas living and contributing to our communities. But we need government to make the changes to end detention and to support and encourage this community movement by giving permanent protection. It is good for Australia in so many ways.”
Read the full Media Release: pdf 20210620 NCCA ACRT Media Release Meeting with Minister Hawke office (176 KB)
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Connect with us FOLLOW THE TASKFORCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK |
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CONTACT US Telephone: (02) 9299 2215 Address: Locked Bag Q199, QVB NSW 1230 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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President's reflection
ANTICIPATING PENTECOST 2021
Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the Earth (cf Psalm 104:30)
The Feast of Pentecost completes our wonderful season of Easter.
Reconciliation in Australia
To walk this way
A reflection on Reconciliation by Felicity McCallum, First Nations Adviser to the NCCA.
There is something irresistible about the place of forgiveness and reconciliation....
Joint Consultation's message to Churches in Asia
Deepen accompaniment amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Vaccine inequity, increasing trends of gender-based violence, injustices against indigenous peoples, and insecurities among the youth are all major issues that were discussed at the 4 June WCC–CCA joint Asia Regional Consultation.
"Churches in Asia must commit with one heart and mind our solidarity for those who are suffering..." Rev Dr San Chang, WCC
Media Statements
Australian Government Budget 2021-22 |
12 May 2021 The Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce notes that refugees and people seeking asylum are no better off from the budget with the Australian Government continuing to invest in offshore and onshore detention. “It seems crazy that we are continuing to pay millions more for detention rather than providing meaningful solutions,” said Rob Floyd, Chair of the Churches Refugee Taskforce. “And there is the absence of any new reforms to the community sponsorship program where church groups have put their hands up as partners,” he added. Read the Eternity News article: A BOTTOM UP VIEW OF THE BUDGET See also: Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) budget media release: Govt chooses detention over hope for world's refugees in budget - Read the full budget summary from Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) here: The Federal Budget: What it means for refugees and people seeking humanitarian protection
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Connect with us FOLLOW THE TASKFORCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK |
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CONTACT US Telephone: (02) 9299 2215 Address: Locked Bag Q199, QVB NSW 1230 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
President's reflection
“A CLIMATE OF THE HEART: ONLY RELATEDNESS CAN SAVE US”
Sometimes the title says it all!.... Who could dispute that a greater expression of a universal and unconditional love is needed?
Please pray for India and Bangladesh
The NCCA has received prayer requests from the National Councils of India and Bangladesh.
We ask that Australian churches take a moment to reflect and pray with us for the people of these countries in the midst of the COVID crisis.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
“Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” (cf John 15:5)
16 - 23 May 2021, in the week between Ascension and Pentecost.
Local events are being held across the country during this week. Australian resources are now available from the NCCA website.