Two Day Conference African Australians Settlement & Integration Conference 12-13 November 2018

_{The purpose of this two day conference is to learn more about African Australians for enabling better social cohesion; an improved situation of integration and access and equity strategies. It will look at articulation on the “African Australians’ position in the ways of protecting and strengthening Australia's multiculturalism and social inclusion”.} 

_{The Conference will also set the agenda for the African Australians settlement and integration beyond 2030.}  

_{Should you have any queries or require additional information please contact our Conference Managers, Marg Scarlett, on 0419 805 362 or Helen McLean 0409350 708.}

_{Yours sincerely}

<sub>Haileluel Gebre-selassie

More information available by clicking on</sub> 

https://att.org.au/att2018/

RAR Canberra Rally Tuesday October 2018

From: RAR Australia <rar.australia@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, Sep 26, 2018 at 1:52 PM

Subject: Rally in Canberra October 16

To:

Hello All,

The RAR National Campaign Team has agreed to coordinate a rally in Canberra on Tuesday October 16 from 12 midday to 2.00pm.  The focus of the rally will be 'Australians Say No to Kids in Detention' this approach will be supported by the need to expedite the safe resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees from Nauru and Manus and to staunch the human, reputational and economic costs of maintaining the government's current regional offshore processing policy.

Why so soon and such short notice?  The government currently is in a very vulnerable position with cross-bench Members, the community and the credible media urging government to change its offshore processing policy.  AMA president Tony Bartone has been doing a magnificent job talking to politicians about the humanitarian emergency faced by asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru.  There are the isues of the 'au pairs', strawberries, a public holiday that fell in a heap etc and the Wentworth bi-election on October 20. 

We have a 'one off' opportunity in the parliamentary sitting week (15-18 October) prior to the Wentworth bi-election to take action.  This opportunity may not come again as a journalist said to me 'the stars are lined up'. 

It is time to take action.  We will be notifying all refugee advocates to support us if they can.  We would love as many members to come to Canberra with your local banners to show politicians that Rural Australians care.  If you cannot attend please tell your friends and refugee supporters to send out a message of support or to send a donation to RAR to help with costs such as hiring a speakers' platform and a large banner.

All enquiries and offers of support to rar.australia@gmail.com or 0417398528

Marie Sellstrom

Rural Australians for Refugees Australia

Phone: 0417 398 528

E:   rar.australia@gmail.com

Rural Australians for Refugees on Twitter and Facebook.

RAR is a member of the Australian Refugee Action Network

Response from Senator McAllister to Mike Griffin's letter to ALP

From: "McAllister, Jennifer (Senator)" <Senator.McAllister@aph.gov.au>
To: "'Mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com'" <Mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com>
Sent: Thursday, 27 Sep, 2018 At 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: Bellingen and Nambucca District RAR letter

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your letter on Manus and Nauru. I can tell how important this issue is to you and I very much appreciate you taking the time to write to me.

I too am very concerned about people seeking asylum; both about the manner in which these new measures have been introduced into the public debate, and the measures themselves. As you know, we have a pressing current problem in finding  resettlement options for those presently on Manus and Nauru, which the government seems unable or unwilling to address.

A Labor Government will adopt various measures to improve the lives of those seeking refuge and asylum. Labor will end the secrecy on Manus and Nauru, double Australia’s annual refugee intake to 27,000 by 2025, create an independent children's advocate for  children whose claims are being assessed, work to get people out of detention as soon as possible, and provide financial support to the UNHCR. You can read more about our policies here: www.alp.org.au/asylumseekers

More broadly, I am personally committed to working to improve Australia's policy on people seeking asylum, so as to better protect the many displaced people across the globe who need our support. As caring people, I believe we have an obligation  to help where we can, and opportunities to do so in our region and beyond. There are many ways we can strengthen the global response to this enormous challenge. We shouldn't be deterred by the complexity of the task.

Kind Regards,

Senator Jenny McAllister

Letter from Heather Gray to Prime Minister

Title: Ms
First name: Heather
Family name: Gray

Subject: Children and Families remaining on Nauru and Manus Islands

Dear Sir

I find it appalling that you and your government continue the harsh and inhumane  treatment of these refugees. You state that you follow the Christian faith and if you truly did you would fight for the release of these people and bring into our care in Australia. Your governments policies are becoming like a third world dictatorship or a country with Nazi like sympathies with the way you are treating the refugees on Nauru and Manus.
It is time you and your government reviewed all the evidence on the treatment of these people and stopped being cruel and inhumane
I don't know if you ever get to really read emails sent to you but hopefully more and more Australian citizens are communicating with you about this disgraceful situation 

Heather Gray