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Two WA election forums

The Democrats, ChilOut and Project SafeCom

A number of things coincided in our favour in August this year.

First, the Australian Democrats are able to assemble an election forum in Western Australia;

Also, ChilOut Co-ordinator Alanna Sherry found a cheap flight and decided to come over for a holiday;

And we discovered that the Albany Community For Afghan Refugees had the energy to organise an event. So, below is the schedule of the two forums we organised around these coincidences.

Related:

CARAD18 August 2004: Dinner with Alanna: A Children's Fundraiser for CARAD - Alanna Sherry is the coordinator and spokeswoman for ChilOut, and for a little while, Alanna is in Western Australia on a short holiday .... this Fundraiser aims at gathering funds for CARAD, used exclusively to help create possibilities for outings and other special things for the children of the Bridging Visa holding families.

Two important forums in Western Australia

1. Albany: 16 August 2004 (7:30pm)

With the Albany Community For Afghan Refugees (ACFAR)

When: Monday 16 August 2004 | Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Where: Albany Senior Citizens Centre, Grey Street West
More information: Karen Lee, Office of Senator Bartlett 0412 674 476
Cost: Free

Refugee policy in Australia

The long-term mandatory detention of asylum seekers not only breaches multiple UN treaties to which Australia is a signatory, it goes against the principals of any decent and humane society.

Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) are also an inhumane policy that does not address the permanent protection needs of refugees.

Come and hear about the issue firsthand from the legislators, the advocates and the refugees themselves.

Senator Andrew Bartlett, Leader of the Australian Democrats: Senator Bartlett has worked for many years to bring about positive changes to immigration legislation. He has visited every onshore detention centre and twice been to Nauru to meet with detained asylum seekers.

Alanna Sherry, ChilOut Coordinator: ChilOut is a mainly Sydney-based lobby group aiming to get all the children (and their caregivers) out of Australia's detention centres.

Local Hazara Representatives: The Hazara Representatives will talk on their firsthand experiences of refugee policy

Jack Smit, Coordinator of Project SafeCom: Project SafeCom is a WA based refugee lobby, action and advocacy group.

Senator Brian Greig of the Australian Democrats will also attend the event.

2. Perth: 18 August 2004 (6:00pm)

Human Rights in John Howard's Australia

When: Wednesday 18 August 2004 | Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Where: Perth Central TAFE, 25 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge (Main Lecture Theatre - use Museum Str entrance)
Further details: Dianne Green, Office of Senator Greig (08) 9228-3133
Cost: By gold coin donation

The long-term mandatory detention of asylum seekers not only breaches multiple UN treaties to which Australia is a signatory, it goes against the principles of any decent and humane society. There are alternatives used by most other countries, but these have been overlooked in favour of more expensive and inhumane detention.

The Howard Government wants to abolish the Board of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), replacing it with nothing, and then mainstream all Indigenous programs. What does this mean for the future of reconciliation in Australia?

The Howard Government has recently moved amendments restricting the rights of same-sex couples and has a history of legislating against the rights of same-sex parents.

What are the parallels between Indigenous, refugee and same-sex policy? The issues may appear different on the surface but the root cause - scapegoating sections of the Australian community for political gain - is the same.

Senator Andrew Bartlett, Leader of the Australian Democrats: Senator Bartlett has worked for many years to bring about positive changes to immigration legislation. He has visited every onshore detention centre and twice been to Nauru to meet with detained asylum seekers.

Senator Brian Greig, Senator for Western Australia: Brian Greig has over fifteen years experience as a human rights advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Australians. In 1998, he received the Australian Democrats' Chris Carter Memorial Award in recognition of his work on GLBTI human rights. In the same year, he was elected to the Senate to represent Western Australia and the Australian Democrats.

Special invited Guests from the Western Australian Indigenous Community

After the Northbridge forum:

Dinner With Alanna

CARAD Fundraising Dinner: raising funds for children of refugees on bridging visas
When: Wednesday, 18 August 2004
What: Dinner (various set menus, incl. vegetarian)
Time: 7pm onwards
Where: The Elephant and Wheelbarrow, 53 Lake Street, Northbridge
To order ticket(s): Phone Lily on 0417 502 248
Cost: Tickets $25.00 per person. Additional donations most welcome.

Related:

CARAD18 August 2004: Dinner with Alanna: A Children's Fundraiser for CARAD - Alanna Sherry is the coordinator and spokeswoman for ChilOut, and for a little while, Alanna is in Western Australia on a short holiday .... this Fundraiser aims at gathering funds for CARAD, used exclusively to help create possibilities for outings and other special things for the children of the Bridging Visa holding families.