Advocacy

I am Melanie from Frankston and I would like the Australian government to welcome all refugees and asylum seekers and end the internment at Manus & Naru islands

We are a country of immigrants from all over the world, from every culture, from every religion, from every belief system. Our culture and way of life is the product of that, and it’s remarkable because of that. If you can’t see that, I can only suggest that you need to see more of the world and life in general. Yes, we want to welcome people from Syria and all the other countries that have been devestated by extremism and insanity, because that’s what we’ve always done and that’s what we’re ver…

Not a day passes that I don’t think of our sisters and brothers locked up in permanent detention and I struggle to come to terms with my fellow Australians who believe this is an acceptable way to treat those in dire need of our protection.

Hi, I’m Brian from Lake Illawarra and I believe we are the most blessed country in the world and as such we have a responsibility to look after the most vulnerable people in the world. What we are currently doing to people who have come to us for help is dehumanising to both them and us. It needs to stop now. We have to find a better way.

I am asking for a change in policy because I believe protecting our borders at the cost of our humanity, decency and compassion has transformed us into human rights abusers. These people who come by boat are you and I…..your brothers and sisters….daughters and sons. There but for the grace of God goes your or I. We are better than this. We are smarter than this. There is another option. Please stop turning your heads from the abuse this government perpetrates in your name.

I have been involved since 2002 in working towards reforming refugee policy by govts in Australia. My priority has been to close detention centres (offshore & onshore), to welcome refugees and asylum seekers and process their refugee applications on the Australian mainland. Boat towbacks are dangerous and violate the UN Convention on Refugees. Australia must welcome genuine refugees.

I support refugees by giving emotional support via Facebook. I donate to refugee organisations & I attend vigils & rallies. I do this because their situation is so dire thanks to our government’s policies

I want to see better treatment of people seeking asylum in Australia. I believe in treating others how I want to be treated we don’t have to be monsters and cause harm.

I support our friends who have come here to build their futures in safety. I think it is abhorrent that we as a nation are knowingly and intentionally harming people in the name of deterring others who seek safety here. I know we can do better. In the meantime I run an organisation called ‘Gifts for Manus and Nauru’ that supports people in Manus and Nauru, with basics such as phone credit, clothes, shoes, entertainment and language resources, and other necessities … and letting them know they …

I am asking for a change in our refugee policy because it is selfish, inhumane and harming not only those seeking refuge, but the heart of Australia. What you are doing is wrong.