Climate Change voices from communities - Australian Cities and towns, generally concentrated near the coast, will be affected by sea-level rise and storms and, in the North, by more intense cyclones. Heat related deaths in Australia's urban centres will become five times more frequent by 2050.

Human Rights Watch: the Anti-Terrorism Bill - Human Rights Watch believes that protecting human rights during counter-terrorist efforts is more than a legal requirement, and integral to the success of the campaign against terrorism itself, Terrorism will not be defeated by military means.

Asylum under Rudd: tough, or just shonky? - Labor is being tougher and more ruthless with asylum seekers than the Howard Government, according to an analysis of decisions made by Immigration Minister Chris Evans, where he rejected 97.6% of intervention applications since coming to power.

Labor chooses John Howard's Excision Zone - 'Refugee advocates have accused the Federal Government of abandoning its softer approach to asylum seekers.' An expose of Labor's ambivalence about John Howard's shocking refugee exclusion zone.

Coal Industry overheats Kevin's Climate - Anna Rose at the 2020 Summit: I found myself in the climate stream with representatives of coal mining companies including Xstrata and Shell, yet not a single person from an environment NGO such as Greenpeace ...

Burnside: Citizens rights and the rule of law - "Personally, I would have preferred to see the [Howard] Government removed because of its lamentable approach to human rights and the rule of law. But perhaps Australia is not ready to embrace such notions: not just yet."

Dear Mr Rudd: Ideas for a Better Australia - During the period of the Howard government, the nation's critical intelligentsia [...] has been, by one means or another, marginalised or silenced. Writers who stood against the predominant neo-liberal, neo-conservative tide now present...

The unthrown kids - All the photographs of the "children overboard" incident in 2001 - leaked to Project SafeCom after the incident: they show gratefulness. They show fathers who are tired, but moved. They show mothers who smile, in deep love for their children and thankfulness for the rescue...

Kevin Rudd's Motion of Apology - The very first motion put by Australia's new Prime Minister under Government Business was the speech to The Motion Of Apology to Australia's Indigenous people. "The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page..."

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From Nothing to Zero

Letters from Refugees in Australia's Detention Centres

The exquisite book From Nothing to Zero presents edited extracts from letters written by asylum seekers held in Australia's detention centres. These letters provide a rare glimpse into the world of refugees who have fled war and persecution in their own countries. Several of the contributing detainees have been held for more than three years, often with no end to their incarceration in sight.

This compelling book gives voice to people whose thoughts and experiences are only rarely heard.

Editor: Janet Austin
Preface & Introductions: Julian Burnside QC
Publisher: The Lonely Planet, Footscray VIC
Publication: April 2003
ISBN: 1740 596 684
Format: paperback, 193 pages
Series: Journeys; travel literature

Pro-bono publication

This publication was printed and published entirely on a pro-bono basis by The Lonely Planet Publishing, features an introduction to each chapter by Julian Burnside QC, and the book presents edited extracts from letters written by asylum seekers held in Australia's detention centres.

All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Footscray (VIC)

6 May 2003: Malcolm Fraser launches the book 'From Zero to Nothing' - "These extracts from letters from asylum seekers will help Australians see the refugees' many human problems. They have their hopes, their fears and their concerns for the future, as we all do. Their stories should create an understanding that people from different countries, different cultures and different religions have very similar concerns and interests to ourselves."

"These extracts from letters from asylum seekers will help Australians see the refugees' many human problems. They have their hopes, their fears and their concerns for the future, as we all do. Their stories should create an understanding that people from different countries, different cultures and different religions have very similar concerns and interests to ourselves." - Malcolm Fraser

"This book makes a moving and memorable contribution to the debate over the treatment of asylum seekers. It provides direct evidence of the cruel and inhumane consequences of mandatory detention - evidence we ignore at the peril of our national pride." - Geoffrey Robertson QC

"Past history tells us that when this shameful period in our history becomes past history it will quickly be covered up - and there'll be no saying 'sorry'. All the more reason to read this remarkable book." - Phillip Adams

Generally 84% of asylum seekers are found to be genuine refugees, yet thousands languish in Australia's illegal immigrant detention centres. Featuring an introduction by human rights activist Julian Burnside QC, this moving anthology presents edited extracts from letters written by asylum seekers in response to a letter-writing campaign by Australian citizens. These letters give a human face and voice to one of the most controversial issues affecting the world today. All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre and the Asylum Seeker Resouce Centre, Footscray (VIC). - Gleebooks Comment

From The Lonely Planet website at this location.

From Nothing to Zero:
Letters from Refugees in Australia's Detention Centres

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