World Refugee Day
Sunday, 18 June 2006

Media Release issued by RAC-Vic
A Fortress or a Fair Go?

Opposition to 'fortress Australia' will be voiced at midday this Sunday, June 18 outside the Melbourne Museum in Carlton, when activists use World Refugee Day to denounce the Howard Government's callous response to asylum seekers.

Activists, church groups, trade unions, students, and community members will urge Members of Parliament to oppose the Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill, which expands the use of off-shore immigration prisons and prevents asylum seekers having their claims heard in Australia.

"We have already seen the horrific impact of off-shore processing on asylum-seekers," said Lauren Ireland, spokesperson from Victoria's Refugee Action Collective.

"Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone has openly stated the benefits of the amendments to Indonesia-Australia relations, but has yet again shown blatant disregard for human rights and Australia's obligations under the 1951 UN Refugees Convention," said Ms Ireland.

World Refugee Day protesters will pressure parliamentarians who have denounced the proposed changes in a recent Senate Inquiry to block any amended version of the Bill, which they say cannot be made 'more humane'.

The broad coalition of protest groups is calling on the Government to let the boats land, dismantle its regime of mandatory detention, and accord refugees freedom and full rights.

Bishop Hilton Deakin, Democrats Leader Senator Lyn Allison, Greens Victoria Refugees Spokesperson Peter Job, prominent refugee and immigration lawyer David Manne, refugee advocate Pamela Curr, and West Papuan activist Herman Wainggai will be among those addressing Sunday's rally.

Protestors will march from the corner of Nicholson and Gertrude Streets in Carlton to the Fitzroy Town Hall to join Multicultural Arts Victoria's 'Emerge Festival' which will celebrate cultural diversity within asylum seeker and refugee communities.

Refugee Action Collective would like to thank all groups and individuals who contributed in myriad ways to this year’s World Refugee Day rally. The rally came at a critical time and was part of the nationwide campaign against the appalling Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill.

We would especially like to thank:

• Silvana for the fantastic poster and leaflet design;
• West Papuan dancers, musicians and asylum seekers, and Cyndi Boste, who livened up the rally with their wonderful performances;
• all speakers, who informed us, challenged us, and inspired us: Senator Lyn Allison (Democrats), Peter Job (Victorian Greens), Bishop Hilton Deakin, David Manne (RILC), Melanie Mumford (South Gippsland RAR), Brian Daley (LHMU), Pamela Curr (ASRC), and RAC chairs Julie Bain and Lauren Ireland;
• Geoff who made the amazing barbed wire boat inspired by Michael Leunig’s image;
• Michael Leunig for his permission to use the beautiful image;
• and Peter Cahill for his photos