write to right the wrongs of our government€¦ · web viewasylum seekers on bridging visas will...

What if we had to flee war, our homes and loved ones...?And the people we turned to for help sent our pregnant family members into danger? Forced us in handcuffs to a tiny island we had never heard of? Kept us from being reunited with family? Locked up our children behind barbed wire? Or sent us back to the places and people who had tortured us?

This is what our government is doing to asylum seekers who have sought Australia’s help and protection.

Write to right the wrongs of our government

Personal letters and emails are one of the most effective ways to en-gage your Member of Parliament. Make your voice heard.

Spend ... 30 minutesSend ... 6 lettersSpeak up … lives are being destroyed

ContentsWrite to right the wrongs of our government................................................................................1

How to write and make your voice heard..................................................................................3

Liberal party members - template letter (long version).........................................................4

Liberal party members - template letter (short version)........................................................8

Labor party members - template letter (long version)...........................................................9

Labor party members - template letter (short version)........................................................12

Greens party - template letter.............................................................................................13

Palmer United Party - template letter..................................................................................14

Prime Minister of PNG - template letter..............................................................................16

Prime Minister of Nauru - template letter...........................................................................18

Contacts details for Senators and Members............................................................................19

Members of Parliament:..................................................................................................19

Senators for Queensland:.................................................................................................22

More info & facts.....................................................................................................................24

email: [email protected] web: www.brassnetwork.org

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=3FuMAw9MGeZH8M&tbnid=NJmwQV0mNhfu6M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://fuinabola.blogspot.com/2012/09/facebook-logo.html&ei=xsPDUaSwAcidkgWC2oHYDw&bvm=bv.48293060,d.dGI&psig=AFQjCNFkzWty6Fl-FnhI01QE_pcS3EcBPQ&ust=1371870511466829

How to write and make your voice heardWith the election of the new Coalition Government yet more massive changes are happening. These policies run counter to the humanitarian, ethical and legal basis of international refugee protection. They are some of the most punitive, harsh, expensive and unnecessary measures an Australian government has ever taken towards refugees.

Speak up! Contact your members of parliament and state senators about these policies.

1. Cut and paste a template letterBelow are some template letters, of varying length for you to send to each of:

1. Liberal party: Local Member/Senator2. Labor party: Local Member/Senator3. Greens Party HQ and Senator

4. Palmer United Party & Senator5. The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea6. The Prime Minister of Nauru

2. Find your Local Member and/or Senator Contact details of all the members of parliament and senators from Queensland are included in this advocacy kit. The Greens, Palmer United Party, PNG and Nauru government contacts are already in the template letters.

You can also find other members of parliament through the Australian Government’s website.

3. Add a personal touch, and send!Add your contact details, some information about yourself, and why you care. Attached at the end of this document are also some links to further information and resources.

4. Pass this onto friends and familyAsk them to write too. Organise a school, church or group of friends to write.

+ more?

5. Consider visiting your local memberGetting in the room with your local member carries more weight than most other campaigning methods as it involves face-to-face contact. The longer letter templates give you background for a conversation. TEAR Australia have a “How-to” guide if you need more guidance.


http://www.tear.org.au/resources/advocacy-guide-how-to-visit-your-mp

http://australia.gov.au/directories/contact-parliament


6. Keep writing... Shorter notes. Emails. One liners. Twitter. Whatever you can, whenever you can. To the papers or the pollies. Keep up the pressure. And keep an eye out on the BRASS network webpage for more ideas and suggestions, or email us to join our mailing list.

Liberal party members—template letter (long version)[ insert name and title][ insert address & date]

Dear Sir / Madam

Re: Australian refugee policy and the treatment of asylum seekers

Congratulations on your success at the recent election.

I write to you now because I have grave concerns about the direction of Australia's current refugee policy, in particular how people seeking asylum and protection within our country are being treated

One of the core liberal party beliefs is: In a just and humane society in which the importance of the family and the role of law and justice is maintained.1

I ask you to reflect on these and take the time to consider the following three areas of requests I have for you and our new government. I ask that we:

1. Treat asylum seekers and refugees humanely and ensure the integrity of the family2. Strive for a just processing system which respects the rule of law and natural justice3. Show real global leadership

1. Treat asylum seekers and refugees in Australia humanely and ensure the integrity of the family

Reintroduction of Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) for people found to be refugees I ask that you don’t introduce Temporary Protection Visas, since the devastating psychological impacts

and long term health and well being consequences are well documented. Of particular concern to me is the real and significant harm it will cause to families and children.

However: If you proceed with implementing TPVs, I ask that you take urgent action to ensure that critical safeguards

are put in place, that people on TPVs are able to:1. access case work support; 2. access timely and appropriate medical care, including mental health support;3. have access to English classes; 4. are not left in indefinite limbo with the threat of repatriation hanging over them, and are offered a

pathway to a permanent protection visa.

There was very clear and irrefutable evidence accumulated regarding the use of TPVs between 1999 and 2007. TPVs had devastating psychological impacts on men, women and children, in particular due to the uncertainty of their status, threat of repatriation, and the forced separation from family through the lack of

1 http://www.liberal.org.au/our-beliefs



family reunion. Such affects also had much longer term impacts; for the wellbeing of asylum seekers who were later granted permanent protection and settled in Australia, and the associated costs in terms of their increased need for ongoing support, and reduced capacity to contribute to their families and communities.

In particular as at 31 August 2013 there were 4,679 asylum seeker children in our immigration detention network (including closed facilities, community detention and on bridging visas). Not only has immigration detention been proven to be ‘severely detrimental to their health, both mentally and physically’ but the TPV regime was also shown to have longstanding and devastating effects on children, with the Australian Human Right’s Commission finding that the previous use of TPVs breached the Convention on the Rights of the Child at least half a dozen times. Please don’t let this be done to innocent children again.

Work Rights I support and encourage your policy of work rights for refugees in Australia. I ask you to urge your party to extend these work rights to asylum seekers on Bridging Visas.

The right to work is enshrined in international law including the 1951 Refugee Convention and under Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Allowing people to work recognises their human dignity; provides a way for people to support their own family; fosters self-reliance and allows people a way to give back and contribute to the broader community. It also costs the Government and taxpayers less, because people who work are supporting themselves rather than being forced to rely on government payments.

However asylum seekers on bridging visas will still be prevented from working and will be made to undertake “mutual obligation.” This will force them to continue living on a benefit that is 89% of basic Centrelink payments. It will continue to impoverish families. It is already forcing increasing numbers of asylum seekers to search for assistance from charities or turn elsewhere, placing them in a position of great vulnerability. Mutual obligation will be a very costly and unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. It makes no sense to take an expensive mechanism used to “push people into work” and to actually use it to “stop willing people from doing real work”. Please extend work rights to those on bridging visas.

Family reunion I ask that you respect the integrity of the family—act to ensure that family reunion be reinstated for all

refugees, regardless of how they arrive.

Under the current Coalition policy it has been flagged that the return to TPVs will also mean refugees, including unaccompanied children separated from family, will be denied access to family reunion under any program.

The principle of family unity is a fundamental principle of international law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that 'the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.'2 For refugee families, this means that not only should countries not interfere with families, but they should also enable families to reunite where it is possible. (Without for instance, forcing them to places where they will be returned to, or face, ongoing persecution).

Family reunification increases integration prospects for newly arrived families and it lowers social costs in the long term, as it promotes social and economic self-sufficiency. This means that not only is family reunification

2 Article 16. (3)



an integral humanitarian principle, but it’s also 'a key to the success of durable solutions that can restore a refugee to something approximating a normal life'.'3

To punish particular groups of refugees—including children—for their mode of arrival, by stopping them from being reunited with family is unjustifiable and a tragic interference in the integrity of a family unit. Please act to change this policy.

2. Strive for a just processing system which respects the rule of law and natural justice I am strongly opposed to the withdrawal of publicly funded legal assistance the for asylum seekers

(IAAAS program) I ask you to:

o advocate for the reinstatement of publicly funded legal support and advocacy, as integral part of providing a just and lawful process.

o work to ensure that any changes to the system for processing refugee claims is clear, fair, transparent and just—with adequate safeguards put in place.

The withdrawal of all publicly funded legal support through the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) for asylum seekers is an extreme and unnecessary measure. Already, legal services which are capable of providing pro-bono support to asylum seekers are immeasurably stretched and cannot meet demand.

It is a complex and bureaucratic system for processing refugee claims. How can we expect lay people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds—perhaps also dealing with recent trauma experiences—and perhaps with or without education and literacy—to fully understand the process and effectively present their own case? How could we expect orphaned and separated children to make their own refugee claim?

There are also proposed changes to remove a legal right of appeal to the Refugee Review Tribunal, and to bring in a system in which life and death decisions are made by internal bureaucrats, behind closed doors, without independent and transparent merits review. How does this respect the rule of law or natural justice? Where is the transparency in these processes? Where are the safeguards to the proposed “fast track system”?

In Australia, we respect and value the rule of law and the 'fair go'. But this policy will result in many more refugees having negative assessments, through error. At best this is not a fair process and is unjust; at worst it risks refoulement—Australia sending people who are peacefully and lawfully seeking our protection, back to regimes where they may face torture, imprisonment or death. I don’t want this done in my name. Please don’t let this be on our national conscience, please fight to ensure we have a clear, fair, transparent and just processing system.

3. Show global leadership

Respect international lawI ask that for you to urge our government to show real, principled leadership on the global stage, and to: honour our international obligations to provide protection to people who come to Australia seeking

asylum, regardless of the manner of their arrival. focus our response on regional cooperation based on international laws, conventions and a humanitarian

3 http://www.unhcr.org/3bd3d4a14.pdf


http://www.unhcr.org/3bd3d4a14.pdf


approach to asylum seekers and refugees.

We are proud to be hosting the G20 in Queensland in 2014. At the same time Australia has a position on the Security Council in the United Nations. This is a really important time for Australia on the world stage. We have the opportunity to demonstrate that we respect international law and obligations and are a responsible world leader.

The emphasis of our policies should be in alignment with international law and conventions—on humanitarian protection—not deterrence or border security. Such approaches have been shown not to work in the past, and are unlikely to do so now. We might slow some boat arrivals down in the short term, but it can only ever be a temporary and simple response to complex and ongoing global issues. We can never truly “stop all the boats” while people are displaced and are forced to flee war and persecution.

The UNHCR recently announced that at June 2013 their entire budget had reached a 'new annual high' of US$5.3 billion. The UNHCR has staff of more than 7,600 people in over than 125 countries and helps tens of millions of people.4 In 2013–14, DIAC was slated to spend $2.97 billion, on Australia’s detention network, including locking people up in detention facilities, inside and outside of Australia. This figure did not include the projected increases in costs of billions for increasing off shore detention in Nauru or PNG or the incentives offered for allowing this. It also does not include the millions in costs hidden in AFP, border protection, military, and other operations.

Our current obsession with “stopping the boats” and the manner in which we are responding—such as sending people offshore and locking them up, is a gross and unjustifiable waste of money.

“Punishing” people seeking asylum in this way in order to “deter” others runs counter to the humanitarian, ethical and legal basis of international refugee protection. The ends don’t justify the means. In the longer term the current approach will simply create big issues for the smaller, developing countries in our region, such as Nauru and PNG. It will damage human beings who have sought our help, including children. Many of whom will never be able to return home and will need to be resettled.

A truly regional arrangement based on a humanitarian approach which creates “road maps” not just “road blocks” is the only durable and humane solution to assisting the displaced people seeking protection in our region and for dealing with people smuggling. Please fight to put our efforts and money into real, humane, long term solutions.

Increase the humanitarian intake I ask that you push the government to raise Australia’s humanitarian intake to the levels recommended

by the Expert Panel in their Report in August 2012.

The proposal to cut the humanitarian intake back to 13,750 is a short-sighted development. It will also lessen Australia’s ability to cooperate regionally by burden sharing and directly taking refugees from transit countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. It is essential we are able to work with these countries in order to find real, long term and durable solutions through a truly regional agreement.

ConclusionI implore you to consider my requests, to speak up and be a reasoned, humane voice in your party. Please let me know that you have heard my voice and are willing to act.

4 http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1a.html


http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1a.html


Yours faithfully

[ name, address & contact details]



Liberal party members—template letter (short version)[ insert name and title][ insert address & date]

Dear Sir / Madam


Congratulations on your success at the recent election. I write to you now because I have grave concerns about the direction of Australia's current refugee policy, in particular our treatment of asylum seekers.

One of the core liberal party beliefs is—in a just and humane society in which the importance of the family and the role of law and justice is maintained. These are fine sentiments that many Australians would agree with. But how are we being faithful to those values with our current refugee and asylum seeker policies?

What does it say about our values as a country, the kind of society we are, when we lock up orphaned and separated children who have no family? When we continue to send pregnant women to developing countries, where the conditions are inadequate, for them and their newborns? When we prevent people from working to support their families and force them to undertake menial tasks under bureaucratic control for a payment that is 89% of newstart—below the poverty line? How does “enhanced screening” which prevents people from even having their refugee claims heard, provide a just or fair process? Why is your Immigration Minister refusing to be open, accountable and transparent with us, the Australian people, about what is happening to these men, women and children who have sought our protection?

I ask you to reflect on these questions. Please take time to consider the following requests:

1. Treat asylum seekers and refugees humanely and ensure the integrity of the familyo Oppose the introduction of TPVs (which had a devastating impact on the mental and physiological

wellbeing of men, women and children last time they were used), or at least ensure that people have adequate settlement supports and have a pathway to permanent protection

o Get children out of detentiono Restore work rights for all refugees and asylum seekers regardless of mode of arrivalo Respect the integrity of the family unit and support a policy of family reunion.

2. Implement a just processing system which respects the rule of law and natural justiceo Ensure a fair, transparent and just refugee processing systemo Ensure that asylum seekers have access to publicly funded legal advocacy and assistance.

3. Show real global leadershipo Increase the humanitarian intake in line with the Expert Panel’s recommendationso Act in accordance with international law and our humanitarian obligations.

I implore you to consider my requests, to speak up and be a reasoned, humane voice in your party. Please let me know that you have heard my voice and are willing to act.

Yours faithfully

[ name, address & contact details]



Labor party members—template letter (long version)[insert name and title][ insert address]

Dear Sir / Madam



I write to you now because I have grave concerns about the direction of Australia's current refugee policy, in particular how people seeking asylum and protection within our country are being treated.

Australia now has a Minister for Immigration who insists that asylum seekers be called “illegals” and “detainees.” As a country we are now in the process of completely dehumanising some of the world’s most vulnerable people who have fled war and persecution, and sought our protection.

Your party is at this moment asking itself, what does it stand for? What are real Labor values?

I am asking you, and the Labor party to show it can be a progressive party, that will uphold the integrity of international law and conventions and espouse a platform of social justice.

I implore you to fight for, and commit to the following:

Oppose the introduction of TPVs Restore work rights for all refugees and asylum seekers regardless of mode of arrival Respect the integrity of the family unit and support a policy of family reunion Fight for a fair, transparent and just refugee processing system Ensure that asylum seekers have access to publicly funded legal advocacy and assistance Get children out of detention Maintain a commitment to increase the humanitarian intake in line with the Expert Panel’s

recommendations Show real global leadership and act in accordance with international law and our humanitarian

obligations, throughout all our refugee related policies.

Oppose temporary protection visas (TPVs)The evidence was irrefutable from our experience during the Howard Government regarding the use of TPVs between 1999 and 2007. TPVs had devastating psychological impacts on men, women and children, in particular due to the uncertainty of their status, threat of repatriation, and the forced separation from family through the lack of family reunion. Such affects also had much longer term impacts, both in terms of the wellbeing of asylum seekers who were later granted permanent protection and settled in Australia, and the associated costs in terms of their increased need for ongoing support and reduced capacity to contribute to their families and communities.



If the government pushes ahead with this inhumane agenda, I ask that as the main opposition you seek to ameliorate the worst and ensure that critical safeguards are put in place. That people on TPVs are able to:

access case work support access timely and appropriate medical care, including mental health support have access to English classes are not left in indefinite limbo with the threat of repatriation hanging over them, and are offered a

pathway to a permanent protection visa.

Restore work rights for allThe right to work is enshrined in international law including the 1951 Refugee Convention and under Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Allowing people to work recognises their human dignity, provides a way for people to support their own family, fosters self-reliance and allows people a way to give back and contribute to the broader community. It also costs the government and taxpayers less, because people who work are supporting themselves rather than being forced to rely on government payments.

Asylum seekers on bridging visas will still be prevented from working and will be made to undertake “mutual obligation.” Mutual obligation will be a very costly and unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and control. It makes no sense to take an expensive mechanism used to “push people into work” and to actually use it to “stop willing people from doing real work”. Please adopt a policy to extend work rights to those on bridging visas and push the government to do the same.

Family reunionThe principle of family unity is a fundamental principle of international law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that 'the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.'5 For refugee families, this means that not only should countries not interfere with families, but they should also enable families to reunite where it is possible.

Family reunification increases integration prospects for newly arrived families and it lowers social costs in the long term, as it promotes social and economic self-sufficiency. This means that not only is family reunification an integral humanitarian principle, but it’s also 'a key to the success of durable solutions that can restore a refugee to something approximating a normal life'.'6 To punish particular groups of refugees—including children—for their mode of arrival, by stopping them from being reunited with family is unjustifiable and a tragic interference in the integrity of a family unit. Please act to change this policy.

A just processing system The withdrawal of all publicly funded legal support through the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) for asylum seekers is an extreme and unnecessary measure. Already, legal services which are capable of providing pro-bono support to asylum seekers are immeasurably stretched and cannot meet demand.

There are also proposed changes to remove a legal right of appeal to the Refugee Review Tribunal, and to bring in a system in which life and death decisions are made by internal bureaucrats, behind closed doors, without independent and transparent merits review. In Australia, we respect and value the rule of law and the 'fair go'. But this policy will result in many more refugees having negative assessments, through error. At

5 Article 16. (3)

6 http://www.unhcr.org/3bd3d4a14.pdf


http://www.unhcr.org/3bd3d4a14.pdf


best this is not a fair process and is unjust; at worst it risks refoulement—Australia sending people genuinely and lawfully seeking our protection, back to regimes where they may face torture, imprisonment or death.

Show global leadership—respect international laws and conventionsWe are proud to be hosting the G20 in Queensland in 2014. At the same time Australia also has a temporary position on the Security Council in the United Nations. This is a really important time for Australia on the world stage. We have the opportunity to demonstrate that we are a responsible world leader.

The emphasis of our policies should be in alignment with international law and conventions—on humanitarian protection, not deterrence or border security. This includes:

processing asylum claims in Australia, not in offshore processing centres, especially not outsourcing our obligations to neighbouring developing countries

providing Permanent Protection Visas for those found to be refugees or owed protection for other reasons

providing avenues for family reunion.

The UNHCR recently announced that at June 2013 their entire budget had reached a 'new annual high' of US$5.3 billion. The UNHCR has staff of more than 7,600 people in over than 125 countries and helps tens of millions of people.7 In 2013–14, DIAC was slated to spend $2.97 billion, just on Australia’s detention network, including locking pregnant women and children up in detention facilities, inside and outside of Australia. This figure did not include the projected increases in costs of billions for increasing off shoring detention in Nauru or PNG or the incentives offered for allowing this. It also does not include the millions in costs hidden in AFP, border protection, military, and other operations.

Our current obsession with “stopping the boats” and the manner in which we are responding, such as sending people offshore and locking them up, is a gross and unjustifiable waste of money.

“Punishing” people seeking asylum in this way in order to “deter” others runs counter to the humanitarian, ethical and legal basis of international refugee protection. The ends don’t justify the means. And in the longer term the current approach will simply create big issues for the smaller, developing countries in our region, such as Nauru and PNG.

It may slow some boat arrivals down in the short term, but it can only ever be a temporary and simple response to complex and ongoing global issues. We can never truly “stop all the boats” while people are displaced and flee war and persecution. A truly regional arrangement based on a humanitarian approach which creates “road maps” not just “road blocks” is the only durable and humane solution to assisting the displaced people seeking protection in our region and for dealing with people smuggling.

ConclusionI implore you to speak up and be a reasoned voice in your party. Show us that the Labor party still is the party of a progressive and humane Australia. That it is not afraid to provide consistent, ethical and balanced leadership on this issue.

Please let me know that you have heard my voice and are willing to act.

Yours faithfully

[ name , address & contacts]

7 http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1a.html


http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1a.html


Labor party members - template letter (short version)[insert name and title][ insert address]

Dear Sir / Madam


Congratulations on your success at the recent election. I write to you now because I have grave concerns about the direction of Australia's current refugee policy, in particular our treatment of asylum seekers.


Your party is at this moment asking itself, what does it stand for? What are real Labor values?

I am asking you, and the Labor party to show it can be a progressive party, that will uphold the integrity of international law and conventions and espouse a platform of social justice.

I implore you to fight for, and commit to the following:

Oppose the introduction of TPVs Restore work rights for all refugees and asylum seekers regardless of mode of arrival Respect the integrity of the family unit and support a policy of family reunion Fight for a fair, transparent and just refugee processing system Ensure that asylum seekers have access to publicly funded legal advocacy and assistance Get children out of detention Maintain a commitment to increase the humanitarian intake in line with the Expert Panel’s

recommendations Show real global leadership and act in accordance with international law and our humanitarian

obligations, throughout all our refugee related policies.

I implore you to speak up and be a reasoned voice in your party. Show us that the Labor party still is the party of a progressive and humane Australia. That it is not afraid to provide consistent, ethical and balanced leadership on this issue.


Yours faithfully




Greens party—template letterSenator Larissa WatersSenator for Queensland 251 Given TceLocked Bag 3004, PADDINGTON Q 4064

By Email: [email protected] Cc: [email protected]

Dear Senator Waters


I write to you now because I have grave concerns about the direction of Australia's current refugee policy, in particular our treatment of asylum seekers.


I ask that you and the Greens party please continue to fight to:o Oppose Temporary Protection Visa’s (TPVs)o End mandatory detention and get children out from behind the wireo Stop offshore processing o Ensure a fair and just refuge processing systemo Gain work rights for all asylum seekers and refugees

I am particularly concerned about the instruction by the Minister to call asylum seekers “illegals” and “detainees.” As history has taught us, such dehumanising of people and the euphemising of violent or unjust processes (such as “enhanced screening”) is a short stop to committing terrible offences against people we consider different. As a country we are already turning back people to conditions in which they may continue to be persecuted or possibly even killed.

Also of great concern is Operation Sovereign Borders. The government claimed it was not a military oper-ation, yet the Minister is now hiding behind this in order to avoid scrutiny. As our experience of refugees in the last decade has taught us—human rights abuses often begin with secrecy.

Please do all you can, use all the mechanisms of Parliament; to shine a light on what is happening. To en-sure the Minister and the Department are forced to be open, transparent and accountable, as all good Government should.


Yours faithfully[ name , address & contacts]


mailto:[email protected]



Palmer United Party—template letterMr Clive Palmer, MPSenator elect, Glenn LazarusPalmer United Party 380 Queen Street Brisbane QLD 4000GPO Box 3138 Brisbane QLD 4001

Via email: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]

Dear Mr Palmer and Senator Lazarus



I write to you now because I have grave concerns about the direction of Australia's current refugee policy, in particular our treatment of asylum seekers. At the last election the Palmer United Party offered some foundational ideas that could be built upon to provide a real alternative to the cynical, inhumane and wasteful policies that our current government is putting in place.

The current policies are inhumaneIt has been reported that:o Under the previous Labor Government, of the 6 pregnant women sent to Manus Island, 3 were reported

to miscarry. That is a miscarriage rate of 50%.8 Pregnant women are still being sent to Nauru despite op-position from even the Royal Australian College of Physicians.9

o Unaccompanied minors—that is children who are orphaned and separated from their parents – are being sent offshore to Manus Island and Nauru, where it is not at all clear if there is anyone to care for them. This is also despite one young Somali boy being so psychologically distressed he tried to kill himself on Christmas Island.10

o Australia is the only signatory to the Refugee Convention to have mandatory detention. We have record numbers, of innocent children locked up behind high walls and wire in Australia and overseas.

“Punishing” people seeking asylum in the way we are in order to “deter” others runs counter to the humanitarian, ethical and legal basis of international refugee protection. The ends don’t justify the means.

We have a chance to show real global leadership As Queenslanders we are proud to be hosting the G20 here in Queensland in 2014. At the same time Australia also has a temporary position on the Security Council in the United Nations. This is a really important time for Australia on the world stage. We have the opportunity to demonstrate that we are a responsible world leader.

The emphasis of our policies should be in alignment with international law and conventions—on humanitarian protection, not deterrence or border security. This includes:o processing asylum claims in Australia, not in offshore processing centres, especially not outsourcing our

8 http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/pregnant-women-sent-to-manus-despite-the-risks-20130729-2qv40.html 9 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/15/second-pregnant-woman-in-nauru-detention-a-serious-health-concern 10 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/fears-minors-sent-offshore-alone/story-fn9hm1gu-1226727236942


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/fears-minors-sent-offshore-alone/story-fn9hm1gu-1226727236942

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/15/second-pregnant-woman-in-nauru-detention-a-serious-health-concern

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/pregnant-women-sent-to-manus-despite-the-risks-20130729-2qv40.html





obligations to neighbouring developing countrieso providing permanent protection visas for those found to be refugees or owed protection for other

reasonso providing avenues for family reunion.

Stop the wasteful spendingIn 2013–14, Australia’s Immigration Department was slated to spend $2.97 billion, on Australia’s detention network, inside and outside of Australia. This figure did not include the projected increases in costs of billions for increasing off shoring detention in Nauru or PNG or the incentives offered for allowing this, or the hidden costs in associated spending on policing, border protection, military, and other operations.

The UNHCR recently announced that at June 2013 their entire budget had reached a 'new annual high' of US$5.3 billion. The UNHCR has staff of more than 7,600 people in over than 125 countries and helps tens of millions of people. Australia is spending almost as much, trying to “deter” a few thousand refugees, as the UN spends helping all the refugees across the entire world.

Our current obsession with “stopping the boats” and the manner in which we are responding—such as send-ing people offshore and locking them up, is a disgusting and unjustifiable waste of money. Australia could save billions by having a policy of community detention here in Australia, like other OECD countries do. Aus-tralia could be using those billions of dollars on real development, aid and trade.

A real solutionIt may slow some boat arrivals down in the short term, but it can only ever be a temporary response. Our current policies will create more issues in the long term. This will be for both Australia (which will have physiologically and psychologically damaged thousands of refugees who cannot be sent elsewhere) and the smaller, developing countries in our region, such as Nauru and PNG who were co-opted into our cynical politics.

We can never truly “stop all the boats” while people are displaced and flee war and persecution. A truly regional arrangement based on a humanitarian approach which creates “road maps” not just “road blocks” is the only durable and humane solution to assisting the displaced people seeking protection in our region and for dealing with people smuggling.

Scrutiny and transparency are urgently neededAustralia now has a Minister for Immigration who insists that asylum seekers be called “illegals” and “detainees.” As history has taught us, such dehumanising language is a short step towards committing terrible offences against people we consider different. Even though the Government has claimed it is not a military operation they are now also hiding behind Operation Sovereign Borders to avoid telling the Australian people what is really going on, and to avoid scrutiny.

Please do all you can, use all the mechanisms of Parliament; to shine a light on what is happening. To en-sure the Minister and the Department are forced to be open, transparent and accountable, as all good government should.


Yours faithfully




Prime Minister of PNG—template letterPost the template email below in the PM of PNG’s feedback page, or email it to both the Brisbane and Canberra offices of the PNG government (details are on the next page).

[ Date]

Dear Prime Minister O’Neil

I am writing to you as an Australian citizen. I, like many Australian’s, do not support the Australian Government’s policy of sending asylum seekers arriving in Australia to a Manus Island detention centre.

The Australian Government’s policies run counter to the humanitarian, ethical and legal basis of international refugee protection. We think this is Australia washing its hands of it’s international obligations and is an abuse of the goodwill of our regional neighbours.

We appreciate that PNG has been a willing friend of Australia’s in this respect. But Australia should support PNG’s development without this kind of backhanded political pressure and strings attached.

We know from past experience that in the long term this current policy will mean both our countries are responsible for harm being done to refugees by locking them up. And that it will create even greater challenges for your country, which already has enough to deal with.

In 2013-14, Australia’s Immigration Department was slated to spend $2.97 billion, on Australia’s detention network. This figure did not include the projected increases in costs of billions for increasing detention facilities across Australia and on Manus Island or Nauru, or those hidden in associated spending on policing, border protection, military, and other operations. The UNHCR recently announced that at June 2013 their entire budget had reached a 'new annual high' of US$5.3 billion. The UNHCR has staff of more than 7,600 people in over than 125 countries and helps tens of millions of people. Australia is spending almost as much locking up a few thousand people, as the UN spends helping all the refugees across the world.

Australia could save billions by having a policy of community detention here in Australia, like most OECD countries do. Australia could be using those billions of dollars on real development, aid and trade with countries in our region—countries like yours.

We urge you to reject Australian Government political pressure to run detention centres in your country that allow us to flout international law and conventions, and make PNG complicit in our cruel policies. Don’t let Australia wash its hands of its responsibilities and distort our relationships in the region.

Demand a commitment to real development, aid and trade without the strings attached.

I, like many Australians, would support you in this.

Yours faithfully




Contact the Prime Minister of PNG online:http://www.pm.gov.pg/index.php?option=com_chronoforms&view=form&Itemid=706

OR

Email it to both embassies:[email protected]@hotkey.net.au

Other Contact details for PNG if writing by letter:

http://www.pngembassy.org/government.html

AUSTRALIABrisbane, Consulate of Papua New GuineaConsul General Paul NerauChristie Center, 320 Adelaide StreetLevel 11/Suite 8 GP.O. Box 220 , Brisbane QLD 4001 Phone (617) 3221 7915 Facsimile (617) 3229 6084Email [email protected]

CanberraPapua New Guinea High CommissionHigh Commissioner Renagi Lohia 39 – 41 Foster Crescent, Yarralumla P.O. Box E432, Kingston, ACT 2604, Canberra Phone (612) 62 73 3322 Facsimile (612) 62 73 3732 Email [email protected]




http://www.pngembassy.org/government.html



http://www.pm.gov.pg/index.php?option=com_chronoforms&view=form&Itemid=706


Prime Minister of Nauru—template letterWe suggest you post the template email below to the Nauru Government contact page below:http://www.naurugov.nr/contact-us.aspx

His Excellency President Baron Waqa, MP President, Republic of Nauru

Dear President

I am writing to you as an Australian citizen. I, like many Australian’s, do not support the Australian Government’s policy of sending asylum seekers arriving in Australia to the Nauru detention centre.

The Australian Government’s policies run counter to the humanitarian, ethical and legal basis of international refugee protection. We think this is Australia washing its hands of its international obligations and is an abuse of the goodwill of our regional neighbours.

We appreciate that Nauru has been a willing friend of Australia’s in this respect. But Australia should support Nauruan development without this kind of backhanded political pressure and strings attached. We know from past experience that in the long term this will mean both our countries are responsible for real harm being done to refugees by locking them up. And that it will create even greater challenges for your country.

In 2013-14, Australia’s Immigration Department was slated to spend $2.97 billion, on Australia’s detention network. This figure did not include the projected increases in costs of billions for increasing detention facilities across Australia and on Manus Island or Nauru, or those hidden in associated spending on policing, military, and other operations. The UNHCR recently announced that at June 2013 their entire budget had reached a 'new annual high' of US$5.3 billion. The UNHCR has staff of more than 7,600 people in over than 125 countries and helps tens of millions of people. Australia is spending almost as much locking up a few thousand people, as the UN spends helping all the refugees across the whole world.

Australia could save billions by having a policy of community detention here in Australia, like other OECD countries do. Australia could be using those billions of dollars on real development, aid and trade with countries in our region—countries like yours.

We urge you to reject the Australian Government political pressure to run a detention centre in your country, which allows us to flout international law and conventions, and makes Nauru complicit in our cruel policies. Don’t let Australia wash its hands of its responsibilities and distort our relationships in the region.

Demand a commitment to real development, aid and trade without the strings attached.

I, like many Australians, would support you in this.

Yours faithfully



http://www.naurugov.nr/contact-us.aspx


Contacts details for senators and membersMembers of Parliament:

BLAIRMr Shayne Neumann MP (ALP)

Shop 28 – 29, 68 Hunter St, BRASSALL QLD 4305PO Box 5117, BRASSALL QLD 4305

P: 3201 5300F: 3201 5311

E: [email protected]

KENNEDYThe Hon Bob Katter MP (KAP)

Corner Edith and Owen StreetsInnisfail, QLD, 4860

PO Box 1638Innisfail, QLD, 4860

P: 4061 6066F: 4061 6566


BONNERMr Ross Vasta MP (LNP)

69 Clara StreetWynnum, QLD, 4178

P: 3893 3488F: 3893 3422


LEICHHARDTThe Hon Warren Entsch (LNP)

Mac Donnells Building, 102 Grafton StreetCairns, QLD, 4870

PO Box 14Bungalow, QLD, 4870

P: 4051 2220F: 4031 1592


Mr Andrew Laming (LNP)10/32 Middle Street

Cleveland, QLD, 4163PO Box 8024

Cleveland, QLD, 4163P: 3821 0155F: 3821 3799


LILLEYThe Hon Wayne Swan MP (ALP)

1162 Sandgate RoadNundah, QLD, 4012

PO Box 182Nundah, QLD, 4012

P: 3266 8244F: 3266 4263


The Hon Teresa Gambaro MP (LNP)209 Days Road

Grange, QLD, 4051PO Box 98

Grange, QLD, 4051P: 3356 1555F: 3356 6711


HINKLERMr Keith Pitt MP

Suite 1, City Centre ArcadeWoongarra Street

Bundaberg, QLD, 4670PO Box 535

Bundaberg, QLD, 4670P: 4152 0744F: 4153 1752


Ms Michelle Landry MP (LNP)The Swan

159 Denison Street (Cnr Denham St)Rockhampton, QLD, 4700

PO Box 1919Rockhampton, QLD, 4700

P: 4922 6604F: 4922 6607


LONGMANMr Wyatt Roy MP (LNP)

Unit 1, 260 Morayfield RoadMorayfield, QLD, 4506

PO Box 825Morayfield, QLD, 4506

P: 5428 7755F: 5428 6800














DAWSONMr George Christensen MP (NPA)

2/21 Milton StreetMackay, QLD, 4740

PO Box 1697Mackay, QLD, 4740

P: 4944 0662F: 4944 0575


MCPHERSONMrs Karen Andrews MP (LNP)

Ground Floor The Point 47 Watts DriveVarsity Lakes, QLD, 4227

PO Box 409Varsity Lakes, QLD, 4227

P: 5580 9111F: 5580 9700


The Hon Peter Dutton MP (LNP)3/199 Gympie Road

Strathpine, QLD, 4500PO Box 2012

Strathpine, QLD, 4500P: 3205 9977F: 3205 5111


MARANOAThe Hon Bruce Scott MP (LNP)

Suite 2, Foodworks Centre59 Condamine Street

Dalby, QLD, 4405PO Box 641

Dalby, QLD, 4405P: 4662 2715F: 4662 5149


The Hon Stuart Robert MP (LNP)Unit 1, 110 Brisbane Road

Labrador, QLD, 4215PO Box 733

Biggera Waters, QLD, 4216P: 5500 5919F: 5500 5484


MONCRIEFFThe Hon Steve Ciobo MP (LNP)

Ground Floor West67 Thomas Drive

Chevron Island, QLD, 4217PO Box 4922

Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD, 9726P: 5504 6000F: 5504 6944


Mr Clive Palmer MP (PUP)17 Southern Drive

Maroochydore, QLD, 4558PO Box 1978

Sunshine Plaza, QLD, 4558P: 5479 2800


MORETONGraham Perrett (ALP)

Suite 106, Sunnybank Times Square250 McCullough StreetSunnybank, QLD, 4109

PO Box 419, Sunnybank PlazaSunnybank, QLD, 4109

P: 3344 2622 F: 3344 4276E: [email protected]

FISHERThe Hon Mal Brough MP (LNP)

Shop 10A and 10B, Cartwright CentreCorner of Nicklin Way and Point Cartwright Drive

Buddina, QLD, 4575PO Box 1224

Buddina, QLD, 4575P: 5444 4888F: 5452 6655


OXLEYThe Hon Bernie Ripoll MP (ALP)

255 Forest Lake BlvdForest Lake, QLD, 4078

PO Box 4042Forest Lake, QLD, 4078

P: 38796440F: 38796441














FLYNNMr Ken O’Dowd MP76 Goondoon Street

Gladstone, QLD, 4680P: 4972 5465F: 4972 0888


PETRIEMr Luke Howarth MP (LNP)40 Hornibrook Esplanade

Clontarf Beach, QLD, 4019P: 3284 8008F: 3284 8002


FORDEMr Bert van Manen MP (LNP)Tenancy 4/96 George Street

Beenleigh, QLD, 4207PO Box 884

Beenleigh, QLD, 4207P: 3807 6340F: 3807 1990


RANKINDr Jim Chalmers MP (ALP)

Shop 65 Logan Central PlazaWembley Road

Woodridge, QLD, 4114PO Box 349

Woodridge, QLD, 4114P: 3299 5910F: 3208 8744


GRIFFITHThe Hon Kevin Rudd MP (ALP)

630 Wynnum RoadMorningside, QLD, 4170

PO Box 476Morningside, QLD, 4170

P: 3899 4031F: 3899 5755


RYANMrs Jane Prentice (LNP)

636 Moggill RoadChapel Hill, QLD, 4069

PO Box 704Indooroopilly, QLD, 4068

P: 3378 1599F: 3378 1399


GROOMThe Hon Ian McFarlane MP (LNP)

216 Margaret StreetCnr Margaret & Duggan Sts

Toowoomba, QLD, 4350PO Box 777

Toowoomba, QLD, 4350P: 4632 4144F: 4638 2147


WIDE BAYThe Hon Warren Truss MP (LNP)

319 Kent StreetMaryborough, QLD, 4650

PO Box 283Maryborough, QLD, 4650

P: 4121 2936F: 4122 3968


HERBERTMr Ewen Jones MP (LNP)Nathan Business Centre

Corner Ross River Road & Nathan StreetAitkenvale, QLD, 4814

PO Box 226Aitkenvale, QLD, 4814

P: 4725 2066F: 4725 2088


WRIGHTMr Scott Buchholz MP (LNP)

21 William StreetBeaudesert, QLD, 4285

PO Box 628Beaudesert, QLD, 4285

P: 5541 0150F: 5541 4150














Senators for Queensland:

Senator Mark FurnerALP

Suite 1, Crossroads, 454 Gympie Rd, STRATHPINE Q 4500

PO Box 2246, STRATHPINE Q 4500P: 3881 3710F: 3881 3755


Senator Ron BoswellLNP

Level 36, Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle St, BRISBANE Q 4000GPO Box 228, BRISBANE Q 4001

P: 3001 8150F: 3001 8151


Senator John HoggALP

876 Old Cleveland Rd, CARINA Q 4152PO Box 615, CARINA Q 4152

P: 3843 4066F: 3843 4077


Senator Sue BoyceLNP

349 Sandgate Rd, ALBION Q 4010PO Box 143 ALBION DC, Q 4010

P: 3862 4044F: 3862 4244


Senator the Hon Joe LudwigALP

Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle St, BRISBANE Q 4000GPO Box 2477, BRISBANE Q 4001

P: 3229 4477F: 3229 4140


Senator the Hon George Brandis QCLNP

Suite 2, Level 36, Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle St, BRISBANE Q 4000

GPO Box 228, BRISBANE Q 4001P: 3001 8180F: 3001 8181


Senator the Hon Jan McLucasALP

MacDonnells Solicitors Bldg, cnr Shields & Grafton Sts, CAIRNS Q 4870

PO Box 2733, CAIRNS Q 4870P: 4031 6009F: 4031 6167


Senator the Hon Ian MacdonaldLNP

Level 1, 131 Denham St, TOWNSVILLE Q 4810PO Box 2185, TOWNSVILLE Q 4810

P: 4771 3066F: 4771 3411


Senator Claire MooreALP

Suite 14B, First Floor, Brunswick Central, 421

Brunswick St, FORTITUDE VALLEY Q 4006

PO Box 907, Fortitude Valley Post Shop, FORTITUDE VALLEY Q 4006P: 3252 7101F: 3252 8957


Senator the Hon Brett MasonLNP

2166 Logan Rd, UPPER MT GRAVATT Q 4122P: 3422 1990F: 3422 1991


Senator Larissa Waters Senator Barry O’Sullivan













251 Given Tce, PADDINGTON Q 4064Locked Bag 3004, PADDINGTON Q 4064

P: 3367 0566F: 3367 0577


LNPTo be confirmed




More info & facts

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Main page - unhcr.orgStatistics - unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c4d6.html

Centre for Policy Development: Refugee Facts has been designed to provide quick facts and comprehensive background information on asylum seekers in Australia.refugeefacts.cpd.org.au

Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) refugeecouncil.org.au

If you are not familiar with the proposed changes under the new Coalition Government, or the policies of the other parties, the Refugee Council of Australia website has summaries.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is a Melbourne based and one of Australia’s leading asylum seeker organisations. Their website is a great source of information and resources.asrc.org.au

The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public. theconversation.com

Amnesty International: Rethink Refugees rethinkrefugees.com.au

Fact checking websites:

refugeefacts.cpd.org.au abc.net.au/news/factcheck/immigration/ theconversation.com/au/factcheck factsfightback.org.au/category/immigration/


http://www.factsfightback.org.au/category/immigration/

http://theconversation.com/au/factcheck

http://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/immigration/

http://refugeefacts.cpd.org.au/

http://www.rethinkrefugees.com.au/

http://theconversation.com/

http://www.asrc.org.au/

http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/

http://refugeefacts.cpd.org.au/

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c4d6.html

http://www.unhcr.org/


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