AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY EMERGENCY RESPONSE

There are a number of issues raised by the intervention. There is still a lack of consultation; while some people are happy, some communities are very disadvantaged, e.g. having to go by taxi to Centrelink at a cost of $600 one way, then waiting for hours, or perhaps having Centrelink close before everyone has been attended to. At present the phone call to Centrelink is not free and people may have to wait a long time before finding answers to their questions which costs a lot of money.

This Is What We Said: Australian Aboriginal people give their views on the NT Intervention - Michelle Harris (Ed)
'This is what we said' follows a recent report 'Will They Be Heard?' which was released in November 2009. The report examined footage from consultations undertaken by the Government in three NT Aboriginal communities. Sadly, the new legislation seems to show Aboriginal voices have not been heard and this small book aims to put on record what was actually said to the government. Michelle Harris is the convenor of Concerned Australians, a group whose aim is to garner public attention for the sense of despair and betrayal many NT communities are feeling over the flawed consultation process and to raise funds for the cause.
Copies of the book are available for loan from Las Casas Library.

The Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) review report is available from the ANTaR website: http://www.antar.org.au/

GOOD NEWS AT LAST FOR REFUGEES

Another cause for celebration: the Immigration Minister has moved to undo some of the injustices of the existing policy affecting refugees and asylum seekers. The Pacific Solution is no more; no more Temporary Protection for refugees; applications for protection to be processed within 90 days. Representatives of NGOs working with/for refugees were taken recently to see for themselves the ‘prison-like character' of the Christmas Island complex. Eight of the groups, including the Refugee Council, have sent a combined letter to the Minister encouraging him to recognise that the remoteness of the Island makes it impossible to provide the services which are vitally important to people seeking our protection. We look forward in hope to more good news.

The Immigration website: http://www.immi.gov.au/

DEPORTED TO DANGER

The Edmund Rice research produced reports in 2004 and 2006 on what had happened to some of the people Australia deported and who are still refugees living in danger and without rights anywhere. SBS has produced a documentary on their stories.

The Film "A well founded fear" was screened on SBS Television on Wednesday 19 November 2008. It traced Phil Glendenning's search for asylum seekers Australia rejected, as he travelled through Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, Iran and Canada. His Report is to be presented to the Australian Government and the UN.

For latest information check Edmund Rice Centre website: http://www.erc.org.au

NEW PROJECT

Afghan asylum seekers and others deported to danger in 2004 are now the subject of further research and advocacy - to gain some form of visa for them.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Australia is a country of destination for Human Trafficking. Find out about this problem and those working to help victims - Josephite Counter-Trafficking Project: http://www.sosj.org.au/justice/Trafficking.htm

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