An archive of past campaign actions, protests and rallies information, originally published on the ARAN website’s campaigns and events pages. Also, see past events and meetings
Past action, protests and rallies
2021
• Qld: Brisbance – Solidarity protest: Free all the Medevac refugees; permanency not poverty for those released
Friday 30 April 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Grey Street Entrance (opposite ABC studio)
Find out more on Facebook events
• Qld: Brisbane Saturday 15 May 2021
Free the Medevac refugees rally at the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation (BITA)
100 Sugarmill Rd Brisbane
More on Facebook Events
• Qld: Brisbane – Saturday 8 May 9.00am to 11.00am
West End Markets
BITA (Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation) Rally
publicity stall to help RAC to advertise a rally at BITA (on the 15 May)
Corner Montague Road and Jane Street, West End
Refugee Action Collective Qld
Due to unforseen circumstances the stall is cancelled.
The protest on the 15th is still happening.
• Qld: Brisbane
Solidarity protest: Free all the Medevac refugees
Friday 30 April 4.30pm
Permanency not poverty for those released
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
(Grey Street Entrance (opposite ABC studio)
Find out more on Facebook Events.
• Auswide: Sign up for Asia Pacific Network of Refugees’ (APNOR)
new Refugee Education Interest Group
21 April 2021
As part of APNORS’ #EducationEmpowersRefugees campaign, APNOR is launching a special campaign interest group.
Find out more on YouTube.
• NSW: Sydney – Grandmothers vigil.
Tuesday 20 April 12.30-1.30pm
Queen Victoria Building, next to the statue of Queen Victoria.
Bring home made signs if possible.
• NT: Darwin – Department of Home Affair Protests
Thursday 15 April 12.30pm
21 Lindsay St Darwin
Find out more, including weekly actions on Wednesday lunchtimes, on the Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network DASSAN Facebook page.
• NSW: Wollongong – 600th Day of the Indefinite Refugee Sleepout
Sunday 4th April
Find out more on Facebook Events
• NSW: Sydney – Welcome Refugees Picnic Sydney
Saturday 13 March 12.00pm
Royal Botanical Gardens Sydney,
Welcome Picnic for the group of 15 refugees released on the 2 March from Villawood Detention Centre.
• #Time For A Home #Free the Refugees
(January – May 2021)
Campaign for the release of refugees from detention and for their safe resettlement. Here is a list of actions you can be part of that are coming up soon:
Australia wide: #TimeForAHome Week of Action
1 – 7 March 2021
Calling for the release and resettlement of refugees held in detention.
More info to come; check back later.
Past #Time For A Home #Free the Refugees Actions
Biloela Letter-Writing Blitz
Monday 5 April 2021
The International Day of Conscience (5 April) is exactly one month on from the three year anniversary of the Biloela being detained. Join the the ARAN Letter-Writing Group in this action: support material including MPs address info. is on the ARAN Biloela Family webpage.
• ACT: Canberra Leafleting North & Southsides Farmers’ Markets
Canberra Refugee Action Campaign (RAC) is planning to hand out leaflets at:
– Northside (EPIC – Watson) : Saturday 20 & Saturday 27 March
8.00am – 11.00 am (one hour max).
– Southside (Canberra College – Phillip) : Sunday 21 March
8.30am – 10.30am (one hour max).
Free the Darwin 9 and end their indefinite detention!
Healthcare workers vigil
Saturday 27 March at Civic Park at 10.00am
For all healthcare workers or those concerned about the health and well being of our friends being detained. More info on the DASSAN – Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network – Facebook page and images from the vigil; Tuesday 23 March marked 50 consecutive daily vigils outside the makeshift detention centre at Darwin Airport.
NT Darwin: The Darwin 15 9 continuing Vigil
Release the Darwin 9!
5.00pm – 6.00pm every day
Next to the Mercure Hotel Darwin Airport.
Find out more on the Darwin Asylum Seeker Support
and Advocacy Network DASSAN Facebook page.
Brisbane RAC Qld
March 2021: RAC Qld is supporting an individual who is planning to be at the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel every evening and we are inviting people to joining him when able. Images from the rally on 5 March on Facebook.
Friday (1 May 2020) at 4.45pm (2020): we’ll be exercising past the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel (now used as a detention centre for refugees) to show solidarity with the innocent people detained there in unsafe and unjust conditions.
(Allowed under Covid-19 exercise rules).
Brisbane RAC Qld
March 2021: RAC Qld is supporting an individual who is planning to be at the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel every evening and we are inviting people to joining him when able. Images from the rally on 5 March on Facebook.
Friday (1 May 2020) at 4.45pm (2020): we’ll be exercising past the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel (now used as a detention centre for refugees) to show solidarity with the innocent people detained there in unsafe and unjust conditions.
(Allowed under Covid-19 exercise rules).
Amnesty Sunshine Coast Qld 2021
Dine, Drink, Defend letter writing event – Digital Edition!
Hosted by Amnesty Sunshine Coast. First Thursday of the month:
7 May , 14 June, 2 July, 6.30pm AEST. Details on Facebook.
#CantStandBy
First Saturday every month at 2.00 pm.
Choose from 147 pre-planned locations in five capital cities across the country.
More information on #CantStandBy
NSW Sydney
– Revesby 12 Noon Every Monday until 30 Dec 2019
Protest: Justice for “Boat” Refugees & Asylum Seekers
The people outside Coleman’s office are stepping up; they’re now meeting there 3 times a week – not just Monday! “We have agreed as a group to meet every Monday Wednesday and Friday, arrive anytime from 9.30 but meet for photos and signatures at 10am.”
Outside David Coleman’s Office
22 Revesby Place, Revesby
Facebook event here
– Every Friday 5.30pm to7.00pm
At the Queen Victoria statue in front of QVB:
Currently on line due to Covid-19: NSW virtual vigil. Tuesday 5th May. #hometoBilo. Make a sign, take a picture and send it to grandmothersrefsyd@gmail.com. Download and print the cockatoo image for your sign if you like.)
• Palm Sunday 28 March 2021
Scroll down the page to find marches, rallies, walks, protests and
vigils in your part of the world on the day. Plus, find out what you
can do right now in the run up to Palm Sunday.
• In addition to going to a rally or walk near you on Sunday 28 March
– see below for details – you can take further action online while you’re there:
• join the Twitter storm action: send a message to the PM calling for Justice
and A Fair Go for Refugees – use the hashtags #justice4refugees and #GameOver,
• Game Over petition: take the #GameOver QR code link with you. 
Over 70,000 people have signed the Game Over petition. Add your signature on
Amnesty’s Add Your Voice page. If you’re on your mobile, use the QR code above to gather even more signatures.
• ACT: Canberra – Resist Cruelty, Welcome Refugees
Palm Sunday Protest
Sunday 28 March 1.00pm
Garema Place Civic
Canberra Refugee Action Campaign
Find out more on FaceBook Events
• NSW: Sydney – Justice for Refugees rally
Sunday 28 March 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Belmore Park (near Central station)
Organised by the Refugee Action Coalition (RAC) Sydney
Find out more on Facebook Events.
• Vic: Melbourne – Walk for Justice for Refugees
Sunday 28 March 2.00pm – 4.00pm
State Library Swanston Street
Refugee Advocacy Network Victoria
Find out more on Facebook Events.
• Qld: Brisbane – Palm Sunday Rally for Peace and Refugees
Sunday 28 March Midday
Reddacliff Place 266 George Street Brisbane
(opposite Treasury Casino and at the top of the Queens Street Mall).
Refugee Action Collective Queensland RAC
Find out more on FaceBook Events.
• WA: Perth – Palm Sunday – Justice & a Fair Go for Refugees
Sunday 28 March 1.00pm
A Live (more details to come) and Online event.
Justice for Refugees WA.
Find out more on FaceBook Events
• Tas: Hobart – The Amnesty International Tasmanian Refugee Rights Action Group (RRAG): is having a letter writing blitz to all Tasmanian federal politicians as well as to our local paper. Plus:
– Honkathon on Friday 26 March and chalking the footpaths with the message “Speak Up for Refugees”. Find out more on the RRAG Facebook page.
• NT: Darwin – Go along to the Release the Darwin9 daily vigil 5.00 – 6.00pm next to the Mercure Hotel Darwin Airport. Find out more on the
Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network
DASSAN Facebook page.
• SA: Adelaide Peace Walk
Sunday 28 March 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Nth West Triangle: Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) to
Tarntanya Wama Rotunda (Elder Park)
Find out more on EventBrite.
• Vic: Melbourne – Bentleigh Vigil for Refugees
Thursday 11 March 11.00am
Outside the office of Tim Wilson M.H.R
368 Centre Road, Bentleigh
Grandmothers for Refugees & Bayside Refugee Support (BRASA)
Regional Rallies, Walks, Vigils and Protests
• Vic: Ballarat Palm Sunday Justice Walk
Sunday 28 March 2.00pm
View Point Lake Wendouree to the Olympic Rings
Walk in support of refugees: the Amnesty Group of Ballarat.
• Vic: Bendigo Vigil
Sunday 28 March 7.00pm – 9.00 pm
Forecourt of St Andrews Uniting Church (Myers Street)
Find out more on Facebook Events.
• Vic: Indi electorate
Refugee Supporters from Indi will be attending the Palm Sunday March in Melbourne behind the banner Indi Support Refugees with representatives of each group in Indi bearing the name of the group: Alexandra, Mansfield, Benalla, Wangaratta, Albury/Wodonga, Beechworth, Alpine and Strathbogie Ranges RAR, plus Amnesty Yackandandah and Wangaratta Refugee Anglican Network.
• Vic: Bairnsdale – Palm Sunday Vigil
Main St Bairnsdale 11.00am – 1.00pm
East Gippsland Asylum Seekers Support Group.
• Vic: Warrnambool – Love Makes A Way
The Love Makes A Way banner will be attached to the fence of
St Joseph’s Catholic Church Lava St
all day Sunday 28 March. Join us, take a photo and share.
• NSW: Armidale
Street Stall at the Markets in the Mall with a flash mob.
• NSW: Lawson – Blue Mountains Rally
Great Western Highway/Somers St Lawson
Sunday 28 March 2021 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group
Find out more on FaceBook Events
• NSW: Ballina/Lennox Head – Palm Sunday Rally
Sunday 28 March 2021 11.00am
Lennox Head foreshore.
• NSW: Newcastle – Justice for Refugees Palm Sunday Rally
Newcastle Welcomes Refugees
Sunday March 28 2021 3.00pm
Wheeler Place
Find out more on Facebook Events.
• NSW: Wollongong Refugee Protest Palm Sunday
Sunday 28 March Midday
Crown Street Mall Amphitheatre
For more information on Facebook events
Hosted by Refugee Action Collective Illawarra.
• Qld: Toowoomba – Palm Sunday Rally on the Village Green
Sunday March 28 2021 10.50am
Village Green
Find out more on the Amnesty website.
• Qld: Townsville Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees
Sunday March 28 2021 4:00 pm
The Strand
Find out more on the Amnesty website.
• Qld: Cairns
Sunday 28 March 2021 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Curlew picnic shelter on the Esplanade
directly opposite the end of Upward Street, from 4pm.
Find out more on the Facebook Events.
• Tas: Regional – The Amnesty International Tasmanian Refugee Rights Action Group (RRAG): is having a letter writing blitz to all Tasmanian federal politicians as well as to our local paper. Plus:
– Honkathon on Friday 26 March and chalking the footpaths with the message “Speak Up for Refugees”. Find out more on the RRAG Facebook page.
Return to the top of the page.
2021 Palm Sunday: what you can do now
Here’s what you can do in the runup to Sunday 28 March:
• Round up signatures – in addition to your own – for the
Free All Refugees & Let Them Stay Permanently petition.
Download, print and add signatures, then return it by 30 April. All details are on the petition you can download now.
• Take part in a Twitter storm action:
On Palm Sunday send a message to the PM calling for Justice and A Fair Go for Refugees – use the hashtags #justice4refugees and #GameOver.
• Email your local MP a postcard. This will be available shortly. Search for your MP’s address details on the Australian Parliament House website.
• Take a selfie with the message Justice & A Fair Go for Refugees. Post it on your social media page and let us know it’s there (with the link) via the ARAN contact form. We will post it on the Speaking Up for Refugees FaceBook page.
• Check out more ways you can be of be part of the national Palm Sunday action; download the Palm Sunday Actions document and share it around.
• Home to Bilo #HomeToBilo
Dawn to Dusk Vigils Friday 5 March 2021
for Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa:
– Qld: Biloela #HomeToBilo
Dawn to Dusk Vigil for Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa
Friday 5 March 5.00am
Lions Park Cooper St
The ‘dawn to dusk’ vigils will start in Biloela’s Lion’s Park at 5am (Qld time) and finish at the Cove Gazebos on Christmas Island at 4:30pm (local time).
More info on Facebook Events.
– Qld: Brisbane #Home To Bilo vigil
Friday 5 March 2021 from 6.30pm
King George Square 100 Adelaide St Brisbane
More on FaceBook Events.
– NSW: Newcastle #Home To Bilo Biloela vigil
Friday 5 March 5.00pm
More onfo on FaceBook Events
Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy (HASA)
– NSW: Sydney – Urgent Action Vigil for Priya, Nades,
Kopika and Tharunicaa #HomeToBilo
Friday March 5 6.00pm
Sydney Town Hall.
– ACT: Canberra – Support Priya, Nades, Kopika & Tharunicaa
Friday 5 March 5.30pm
Garema Place Civic.
– Christmas Island:#Home To Bilo Vigil
Friday 5 March 4.30pm
Cove Gazebos Christmas Island
More on FaceBook Events
– WA: Albany – Another Time For A Home rally
Saturday 6 March 11.30am -12.30pm
Albany Town Hall
Asylum Seekers Action Group Albany (ASAGA)
• Qld: Brisbane – Free All Refugees!
Protest Rally and March
Friday 5 March 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street Kangaroo Point Brisbane
More on FaceBook Events.
• #Time For A Home #Free the Refugees
• Auswide: TimeForAHome National Week of Action.
Calls for Freedom on Zoom
Friday 5 & Saturday 6 March,
At virtual Calling Parties, you will get a briefing about the issues and the action plan, then make a series of calls to government and opposition MPs, before coming back together over zoom for a debrief and celebration. Register.
• NT: Mercure Darwin Airport
Saturday 27 February 5.00pm.
• Canberra: Protest at Parliament House
Thursday 25 February 1.00pm
Parliament House lawn.
The February 25th a petition calling for release and resettlement of refugees, with 36,923 signatures, was handed to MPs at Parliament House. Two refugees recently released from detention in Melbourne and The Time For A Home alliance of 160 organisations and community networks, handed the petition to Labor, Greens and crossbench MPs.
• Find out more (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
• Watch the Press Conference part one and part two.
Act Now! Tweet the Prime Minister calling for #TimeForAHome.
• Canberra: #TimeForAHome petition handover
Wednesday 17 February at Parliament House (time TBC)
Sign the #TimeForAHome change.org petition now.
• Vic: Melbourne – Rally outside the Park hotel
Saturday 13 February 2.00pm State Library
Walk from the Library to the Park Hotel (701 Swanston St)
where the Medevac men are held.
More info. on Facebook events
• Vic: Melbourne: BRASA (Bayside Refugee Advocacy and Support Association). Because of the lockdown, the rally scheduled for 13 February has been put back one week. We’ll now be gathering at the State Library in the city at
12 noon on Saturday 20 February
• NT Darwin: Set Them Free – Protest / Continuing Vigil
Saturday 6 February – ongoing 5.00pm
Mercure Hotel Darwin
We will continue to stand there every day at 5.00pm until the fences are down, calling for the freedom of the Darwin 15 (five families who have been imprisoned for 8 years and the last year, locked up in Darwin). More info:
Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network (DASAN)
• Qld: Brisbane
Friday 5th February 17:00 to 18:30
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street Kangaroo Point
More detail on Facebook Events.
• NT: Darwin – Mercure Hotel Darwin Airport
Saturday 30 January 4.00pm
Demand justice and freedom for asylum seeker
families locked up in Darwin.
More information on the DASAN Facebook page or contact
Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network (DASAN)
• Vic: Action at Josh Frydenberg’s office
Thursday 28 January 3.00pm on
The next rally of Jews for Refugees will take place outside the electorate office of Josh Frydenberg 141 Camberwell Rd, Hawthorn East. (Please note new address of the electorate office).
• Qld: Brisbane Protest – Free the Refugees Now!
Friday 15 January 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
More information on FaceBook Events
Images from the rally on 5 March on Facebook.
• Vic: Melbourne – Park Hotel Action
Saturday 9 January 2021 2.00pm State Library
The Refugee Action Collective is organising an action focused on those refugees now held in the Park Hotel in Carlton – after 6 years on Manus Island and over 12 months at the Mantra Hotel in Preston. More detail including endorsement of the action on Facebook Events.
• Qld: Brisbane – Protest; Free the Refugees Now!
Friday 8 January 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
More on Facebook Events
• NSW: Newcastle – Grandmothers Vigils
Thursday 7 January 2021 5.00pm – 6.00pm
All Newcastle vigils are held outside Newcastle City Hall
Find out what other actions you can take to support the #TimeForAHome campaign.
Action Images
Check out the ARAN photo galleries page for images from actions, rallies and protests.
Return to the top of the page.
2020
• Email the PM, Treasurer and Community Services Minister for Xmas
21 – 24 December 2020
Ask the Treasurer, PM and Minister Ruston (Community Services) to provide basic safety net income to people who are seeking asylum in Australia – they deserve justice and to live with dignity while their claims for refugee status are determined. Each of these politicians could decide today to provide this safety net. Ask them to do it now: email Scott.Morrison.MP@aph.gov.au Josh.Frydenberg.MP@aph.gov.au senator.ruston@aph.gov.au
• A fresh chance for our Biloela family
20 December 2020
The beautiful Biloela family are facing their third Christmas in detention.
Please call Australia’s new Immigration Minister Alex Hawke
on (02) 6277 7770 to politely encourage him to pick up his pen and bring them home to Biloela for Christmas.
• Refugee Rights 10 Days of Action
Starts Wednesday 2 December
Find out more on the AI website 10 Days of Action page
Also see Day 2 – launch.
• NSW: Wollongong Crown Street Mall (2020)
Indefinite Sleep Out for the release of people in Indefinite detention
Now over 450 nights long thanks to NSW Grandmothers, Doctors4Refugees and other supporters.
Follow the Sleep Out on Facebook
(November 2020 Update)
• Mobile phones for people in detention
Please mail wiped, unlocked, functioning smart phones to
Centre for Asylum seekers, Refugees And Detainees (CARAD) WA.
PO Box 8547 Perth WA 6849.
• Online: Character Test Bill (visa cancellation powers)
The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Character Test) Bill 2019 broadens the grounds on which a person can be found to fail the character test through introducing a category of ‘designated offences’. If passed, it would extend the Minister’s power even further to cancel a person’s visa, leading to deportation, or where that is not possible, to indefinite detention.
Here’s what you can do right now.
• Online: Give Them a Future! A campaign for permanent protection for refugees.
Many Australians are deeply concerned that there are people, about 30,000 in total, who sought safety in Australia between six and eight years ago, whom the federal government has called the ‘legacy caseload’ and imposed exceptional legal restrictions on their eligibility for protection visas. Find out more from the Kaldor Centre. Also view a range of actions, ideas and resources that individuals or groups can download and use in their own areas on the Queenscliff (Vic) Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) website
• Refugee Advice and Casework Service Australia fundraiser
Zaki Haidari is taking on the challenge of running 500km by 31 December – that’s 100km for every year of his temporary protection visa. His aim is to raise $5,000 to help RACS (Refugee Advice and Casework Service Australia) provide free legal services to
people seeking asylum.
“When I was 17, I escaped the Taliban and fled Afghanistan. When I finally arrived in Australia, I was exhausted, had no money, didn’t speak much English and had no understanding of the complex legal process of how to ask for protection.
“Thankfully, I found RACS who supported me through the long and difficult process before I was finally granted a five year temporary protection visa. Without the help of my lawyer, Isobel, I don’t know if I would be here now.
Help ensure people seeking asylum have a lawyer by their side.
• Online: #Refugeesrise Emergency Appeal
Asia Pacific Network of Refugees (APNOR) fundraiser on GoFundMe.
• Covid-19 Crisis
As the Covid-19 crisis continues it is affecting refugees & people seeking asylum.
Here’s what you can do to help them.
• Support for all during coronavirus crisis
Add your name and call on the Government to extend income support for all people on temporary visas. Sign the GetUp petition.
Return to the top of the page.
• Qld: Brisbane – Free the refugees
Friday 18 December from 17:00 to 18:00
This Christmas remember those still detained
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
More information on FaceBook events
• NSW: Newcastle – Grandmothers Vigils
Thursday 17 December 5.00pm – 6.00pm.
All Newcastle vigils are held outside Newcastle City Hall.
• NSW: Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Vigil
Tuesday 15 December 12.30pm – 1.30pm.
Meet at the water fountain (otherwise known as the clock)
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Grandmothers.
• NSW: Wollongong – Refugee Protest
Sunday 13 December 2020 1.00pm
Wollongong Town Hall.
Hosted by Refugee Action Collective Illawarra.
• Vic: Melbourne: #Time for a Home #Free the Refugees street protest
Saturday 12 December 2.00pm
Melbourne CBD – various locations
View images from the event.
Organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network
Registration is required for public health reasons: check this form.
Find out more on Facebook events.
• Vic: Melbourne – Free the Refugees protest action
Friday 11 December 3.00pm
Outside Josh Frydenberg’s office – 695 Burke Rd Camberwell.
Organised by J4R – Jews for Refugees.
• Vic: Melbourne – Mantra Hotel Preston hologram protest
Thursday 10 December 8.00 – 9.00pm
View images from the event.
Organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network & the Refugee Action Collective.
Registration required for public health reasons: check this form.
Find out more on Facebook events.
Thursday 10 December is Human Rights Day.
• Vic: Bendigo – Bendigo CBD #TimeForAHome Campaign street action
Thursday 10 December 5.00 – 6.00pm
Organised by Amnesty Bendigo Group which will join with members of Rural Australians for Refugees Bendigo, and Grandmothers for Refugees Bendigo
More on Facebook Events.
Return to the top of the page.
• ACT: Canberra – Peak Hour Protest
Wednesday 9 December 5.00pm -6.00pm
Cnr London Circuit & Northbourne Ave.
Time For A Home: End Refugee Detention now
• Qld: Brisbane – Unions for Refugees Speak Out: Say no to abuse
Tuesday 8 December at 5.00pm AEST
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
More on Facebook Events
• Online: Launch of the #Time For A Home campaign: online forum
Thursday 3 December 6.00 – 7.00pm AEST
Organised by the Campaign Planning group: RACS, Amnesty, GetUp, ASRC, Qld Community Alliance, RCOA, Human Rights Law Centre, ARAN.
Register on righttrack.org.au
• Online: Action for Human Rights
Wednesday 2 December 7.30pm AEST
Organised by Amnesty Australia Refugee Group.
Find out more on the Amnesty Events page.
• Canberra: Sunday 15 November 1.00pm AEDT
Refugee Action Campaign (RAC) CanberraRallycast against detention
Brigalow St Lyneham.
• Melbourne: Saturday 14 November
Protest outside the Mantra Hotel where 65 men, many of them very sick, have been closely confined for over a year.
Update: To conform to restrictions imposed by the police, only nine protestors were allowed at any one time, so we arrived in relays and stood on the designated chalked crosses on the pavement.
• Qld: Wednesday 11 November 2020, 1.00pm (Qld time) 2.00pm (AEST)
University of Qld Branch of Academics for Refugees launch.
Find out more on EventBrite
• Qld: Brisbane Sunday 8 November 2020 from 4.30pm -5.30pm (AEST)
Solidarity Sunday Faith Vigil #FreeTheKP120
721 Main Street Kangaroo Point Brisbane
More detail on FaceBook Events
• Qld Strathpine: Thursday, 5 November 2020 7.00am to 9.00am (local time)
Free the Refugees Protest outside Peter Dutton’s Office.
199 Gympie Rd, Strathpine.
More on Facebook Events.
• Vic Melbourne Wednesday 28 October 2020 12.00pm AEDT
Virtual MP calling event where we’ll be joined by refugee artist Farhad Bandesh from Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation.
Register on Zoom
• Canberra Wednesday 28th of October
The #GameOver team, along with athlete ambassadors Craig Foster and Sonny Bill Williams will be handing over the #GameOver petition – signed by over 60,000 Australians – demanding that Scott Morrison and the Australian Government accept New Zealand’s long standing offer to resettle refugees from offshore detention. View a follow-up letter to be signed by Thursday 29 October.
More on the Amnesty NZ Act Now page.
• Brisbane Sunday 25th October from 4.30pm (local time)
Snap Action: Free Them Now
Kangaroo Point Central Hotel & Apartments
721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
More detail on Facebook Events
• Saturday – Sunday 3 & 4 October
Melbourne: Rally-in-Pairs outside the Mantra Hotel
Refugee Action Collective Victoria says #Free the Refugees #Phones are a lifeline.
Please register your availability and/or upload your photo
for the hologram protest.
• Friday 2 October 1.00pm
Melbourne Online Rally to Defend the Right to Protest, Free the Refugees
Before the contest mention hearing for Chris Breen, who was charged with incitement for helping organising a safe car convoy protest outside the Mantra prison hotel in May. Register on Zoom.
• Mobile Ban Bill Update (October 2020): Senator Lambie has announced that she will block the mobile phones ban bill. This means the Morrison Government does not have enough votes to pass the bill through the Senate. Together we have sent a loud and clear message from the community to reject this dangerous bill – and our politicians listened (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – ASRC).
• Brisbane: Saturday 10 October 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Protest for Refugee Freedom: Free all detained refugees immediately!
Shut down detention centres offshore!
King George Square, Brisbane
Full details on Facebook.
Return to the top of the page.
• Brisbane Wednesday 7 October 8:00am to 9:00am
Refugee Action Collective leaflet Central Station
Central Station / King George Square
More detail on Facebook Events.
• Send Senator Lambie a message about the Mobile Ban Bill
(From 10 September 2020)
Tasmanian Sentaor Jacqui Lambie want’s your opinion on the Migration
Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020
aka the Immigration Detention Mobile Phone Ban Bill.
This bill will soon go before the Senate and Senator Lambie’s vote
will the critical:
Lambie outsourcing casting vote on asylum seeker phone ban to public poll
(SMH – 13 September 2020).
Banning mobile phones in immigration detention would make an inhumane
system even crueler (The Conversation – 1 September 2020).
Tell Senator Lambie what you think of the Bill.
Send her a message now!
Ads-Up Letters to Senator Lambie and the PM and Home Affairs Minister.
Ads-Up Refugee Network works with partner organisations in Canada to sponsor onshore and offshore, current and former, Manus and Nauru detainees through Canada’s unique Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program.
• Auswide: Migration Act amendments: phone ban bill
(28 August 2020: updated 10 September 2020)
The Senate is due to consider this bill soon.
We understand that the amendment to the legislation will be voted on Monday by the House of Reps, and if passed there, by the Senate on Tuesday (1 September).
It’s very important that the Labor and cross bench MPs and Senators hear from you before Monday so here’s an urgent action for this weekend: lobby your MPs and senators now!
Email and call you state senators now and tell them you want them to vote no to the proposed amendment of the Migration Act.
Contact details for your state senators.
As we all know mobile phones are a lifeline
They enable access to families, loved ones, legal representation, health support and the outside world. They also make it possible for people to shine a light on what’s really going on inside immigration detention centres. The government hasn’t made a reasonable case this grab-bag of powers, when police can already investigate any allegations.
Points to mention in your emails and calls:
• Police already have powers to remove illegal substances and items
• Immigration detention centres are not prisons – and detainees should not be treated as prisoners
• Refugees and people seeking asylum are in administrative detention because the government has not resolved their visa status. These people do not pose a security or criminal risk.
• The intention to remove mobile phones must be seen as an attempt to silence those held in detention, and to prevent public scrutiny and access to advocates and other support people.
• Mobile phones can enable detainees to hold staff accountable for their actions and place some constraint on excessive use of force detention staff.
• Most refugees and asylum seekers have been held in detention for very long periods, and their mobile phones are their lifeline and link to the outside world, including maintaining contact with family members here and overseas, and legal and other support contacts. Being able to maintain some connection to the world outside is essential maintaining mental health .
Independent MPs email addresses: Helen.Haines.MP@aph.gov.au Bob.Katter.MP@aph.gov.au Rebekha.Sharkie.MP@aph.gov.au Zali.Steggall.MP@aph.gov.au Andrew.Wilkie.MP@aph.gov.au
Independent Senators email addresses: senator.patrick@aph.gov.au
senator.lambie@aph.gov.au senator.griff@aph.gov.au
• Wednesday 30 September 7.45am to 9.00am
Brisbane: leaflet Central Station
Join Refugee Action Collective Queensland (RAC) activists to hand out leaflets to advertise the next refugee rights protest. More details on Facebook Event.
• Saturday 26 September 2.00pm
Melbourne event: Upholding the Right to Protest during the Pandemic
Co-hosted by the Refugee Action Collective, Justice for David Dungay campaign, and Melbourne Activist Legal Support (MALS)
Details on Eventbrite.
• Monday 14 September 12.30pm Online
Grandmothers Guest Speaker
Session with Yarrie Bangura
Yarrie is a 26 year old young woman who fled war-torn Sierra Leone with
her family as an eight year old.
Register for this event on Zoom.
Return to the top of the page.
• Hobart: Saturday 12 September 2020 10.30am – Midday
Parliamentary Lawns letter signing stall
In solidarity with Refugee Council Of Australia’s No Child left Behind Campaign.
Across two hours, we had 50 letters to the Prime Minister.
Amnesty International Refugee Rights Group Tasmania.
Find out more on Facebook.
• Brisbane: Vigil for Omid Masoumali: a victim of systemic neglect
Wednesday & Thursday 2 & 3 September 09.15am to 10.30am
Brisbane Magistrates Court 363 George Street Brisbane.
Hosted by Refugee Action Collective Queensland RAC and
Refugee Solidarity Brisbane / Meanjin.
Find out more on Facebook Events.
• Auswide: Phones are a Lifeline: #ShameAlanTudge Calling Party
Tuesday 1 September 9.00am to 11.00pm (AEST)
A calling party and encourage you to contact Alan Tudge’s office to let him know that Australians will not stand for the removal of phones from refugees in detention.
Find out more on Facebook Events.
Call and email Alan Tudge: (02) 6277 7790 alan.tudge.mp@aph.gov.au
Shame Alan!
• Brisbane: Tuesday 18 August 7.45am – 7.45am
Peaceful March Against Sending Refugees to Christmas Island
Brisbane Speaker’s Corner outside Queensland Parliament House
More detail on Facebook Events.
• @SafelyHomeWithUs: August 2020
There is real concern that the federal government is planning to transfer detainees to Christmas Island and possibly transfer people held in the eastern states to Yongah Hill in Western Australia.
Find out more, including what you can do to help stop this.
• Brisbane: Saturday 8 August Postponed – now on Saturday 15 August
Mass Sit-in on the Story Bridge: #FreeTheKP120
Midday – 3.00pm
Raymond Park Baines Street Kangaroo Point
More info on Facebook Events.Read the reasons for the change on Facebook.
• Australia wide: Wednesday 29 July: Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
A Senate Committee is finalising its report and recommendations on changes to this legislation, which if enacted could see asylum seekers in detention have their mobile phones taken from them.
It’s very important that senators hear about your concerns:
• The Committee members include: Qld Senator Amanda Stoker , Vic Senator Kim Carr, Tas Senator Claire Chandler, Qld Senator Anthony Chisholm, Vic Senator Sarah Henderson and Tas Senator Nick McKim.
• Write to your state senators and also the senators on the Committee now.
Find inspiration for your emails in the submissions already made to the Committee.
All Contact details are on the ARAN website letter writing page.
• Sign the Change.org DialItDownDutton petition.
• WA: Monday 20 July: Priya from Biloela has been medically evacuated from Christmas Island to a hospital in Perth
You can take action now. Here’s how.
Return to the top of the page.
• Brisbane: Tuesday 28 July 2020 6.00pm
Unions for Refugees organising meeting
Spizzico Restaurant 721 Main St, Kangaroo Point
There’s more information on Facebook Events.
• Brisbane Sunday 12 July 12:00 noon – 3:00pm
Brisbane Community Solidarity Day at the Blockade
721 Main St. Kangaroo Point
More details at Refugee Action Collective – Qld (RAC) Facebook events.
• Thursday 2 July 2020 6pm
Freedom from Detention! Online Rally
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Vic
Refugee Action Collective – Qld
Join in at https://www.righttrack.org.au/online_rally
• Thursday 2 July 5.00pm
The Newcastle Grandmothers weekly vigils resume (unless there are unforeseen circumstances). Meet at the pedestrian crossing across the street from Newcastle City Hall.
• Sunday 28 June 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Community Rally: Brisbane Says Welcome – #FreeTheKP120
Raymond Park, Baines Street, Kangaroo Point.
Details on the Refugee Action Collective – Qld (RAC) Facebook Events page.
• Brisbane Thursday 25 June
Peak hour solidarity protest: 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Outside the Kangaroo Point Hotel
721 Main St, Kangaroo Point
There’s more information on Facebook Events.
• How to welcome a refugee
Want to sponsor a refugee? There are some words of advice in this
YouTube video.
• Queensland
Brisbane Exercise4Refugees: Every Friday afternoon
The next: Exercise 4 Refugees Week 7
Friday 29 May from 4.45 to 5.30pm
With asylum seekers in Brisbane detention on Walmsley St. Kangaroo Point. Refugee Solidarity Brisbane / Meanjin & Refugee Action Collective Queensland (RAC). More detail on Facebook Events.
• The Senate Select Committee on COVID-19
The inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: the closing date for submissions is 28 May 2020.
• Victoria: Free the refugees! Defend the right to protest! A week of action.
Tuesday May 5 to Sunday May 10, 2020.
There’s more information at
https://www.facebook.com/events/2647025465542756/
A continuous action hosted by Refugee Action Collective (Victoria)
• Grandmothers for Refugees NSW virtual vigil (in place of the 1st Tuesday QVB vigil). Tuesday 5th May. #hometoBilo. Make a sign, take a picture and send it to grandmothersrefsyd@gmail.com. Download and print the cockatoo image for your sign if you like.
• Victoria: Refugee racism is a health risk – defend the right
to protest online forum
Monday, 4 May 2020 from 6.30pm.
With Julian Burnside, Craig Foster, Chris Breen and Moz from Manus.
There’s more information including registrations at
https://www.facebook.com/events/251425402681168/.
Hosted by Refugee Action Collective (Victoria)
• New South Wales: Digital rally to free Priya, Nades and their girls.
Saturday 2 May 6.00pm. Guest speaker Vashini Jayakumar.
Hosted by the Tamil Refugee Council and Socialist Alternative – Red Flag.
A Facebook live stream.
• Rolling action: exercise in solidarity with refugees
Friday 24 April 2020 from 4.45pm.
There’s more information at
https://www.facebook.com/events/1020824584979771
Hosted by Refugee Solidarity Brisbane / Meanjin and
Refugee Action Collective Queensland RAC
•Tele-Town Hall meet: close immigration detention now
Thursday April 30, 2020 from 7.00pm
There’s more information at https://www.facebook.com/events/182827419364450
Hosted by Young Labor Left – NSW and Labor for Refugees.
• PhoneJam Keneally
Thursday 14 May 2020 from 11.00am
Vote No to new BorderForce laws in detention Centres
Hosted by Whistleblowers Activists and Communities Alliance, FLAC-Melbourne
and Close the Camps Action Collective. More detail on Facebook Events.
• 4.45pm, Friday, 17 April 2020
Snap Action: Solidarity with Asylum Seekers in Brisbane Detention
Walmsley Sy, Kangaroo Point, Qld.
Facebook event
• Global Refugee Struggles in the Era of Covid-19 – online forum
Tuesday 14 April 2020 at 6.30pm
Find out more on the
Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) Facebook Event page.
• Make Phone Calls for Freedom
Wednesday 6 May 2020 Midday to 1.30pm
Calling key Members of Parliament asking for fairness for people seeking asylum. More information on Love Makes a Way Facebook.
• Car Cavalcade: Detention Is a Covid-19 Risk, Free the Refugees!
Friday 10 April 2020 from 2.00pm. More detail on the
Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) Facebook Event page.
• Palm Sunday 2020
5 April 2020
• Stop the cruelty – protest at Brisbane’s detention centre
Saturday 8 February 2020 2.00 – 3.30pm
100 Sugarmill Rd. Pinkenba Qld.
FB Event here.
Return to the top of the page.
Past Meetings and events
2021
• Live online with Daney Faddoul
Friday 19 March 1.00 – 2.00pm.
Pre-register for this Zoom event
Grandmothers for Refugees NSW.
• Vic: Melbourne Bayside Afternoon Tea Fundraiser
Bayside Refugee Advocacy and Support Association (BRASA)
Sunday 28 February 2021
More details soon on the BRASA website.
The next BRASA online meeting: Thursday 4 March at 7.30pm
Via Zoom; access details are on the BRASA website.
• NSW: Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group (MNCRSG)
Saturday 13 February 2021 10.00am
Meet at the Wauchope Arts Hall.
Our raffle is live! It will be drawn on the 20/3/21.
• National: Palm Sunday planing
Australian Refugee Action Network ARAN
Tuesday 2 February 2021 5:00pm (AEDT)
Via Zoom
Get meeting access details via the ARAN website contact.
• ACT Canberra – RAC Annual Planning Meeting
Saturday 30 January 2021 12.00pm – 3.00pm
15 Blackall St. Barton.
• ARAN meeting online
Sunday 31 January 2021 at 7.00pm (AEDT)
Online via Zoom
To obtain Access details, agenda and supporting documents, message ARAN.
• Qld Brisbane: Refugee Acion Collective (RAC) Organising Meeting
Wednesday 27 January 2021 6.30pm
Online using Zoom.
Refugee Action Collective QLD.
• NT – Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network
Wednesday 27 January 2021 6.00pm
Families in detention in Darwin meeting.
342 Casuarina Drive, Rapid Creek.
• Online: Global conference celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Thursday 21 January 2021
Two events:
1. The Rohingya refugee crisis: Reflections from the region
3.00pm – 4.30pm AEDT
More information and registration on EventBrite
2. ‘Re-examining displacement in the context of disasters and climate change: A Pacific perspective.
4:45pm – 6.15pm AEDT
More information and registration on EventBrite
The conference is a partnership between UNHCR and the Global Academic Interdisciplinary Network (GAIN). Hosted by the Kaldor Centre.
• Qld: RAC – Refugee Action Collective
Wednesday 20th January 2021 6.30pm
Organising meeting Online: Zoom Meeting.
• National: Palm Sunday organising meeting
Tuesday 19 January 2021 5:00pm AEST
Online via Zoom.
Details from info@refugeeadvocacynetwork.org.au
• National: Palm Sunday organising meeting
Tuesday 19 January 2021 5:00pm AEST
Online via Zoom.
Details from info@refugeeadvocacynetwork.org.au
• Cairns for Refugees 2021 Planning Meeting
Saturday 16 January at 12 noon in Whitfield
Cairns for Refugees are coming together to plan our focus for the coming year.
More info from Raechel on 0415 764 657
• Refugee Advocacy Network
Tuesday 12 January 6.00pm
Palm Sunday (28 March) for Justice for Refugees organising Zoom meeting
Request access details via the ARAN contact form
• Refugee Action Collective (RAC) Queensland Organising meeting
Wednesday 6 January 6.30pm (AEST)
Online via Zoom.
Return to the top of the page.
2020
• Auswide Webinar: Refugees as central dialogue partners for
displacement solutions
Wednesday 16 December 2020 5.00pm AEST
APNOR, Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, Uni of Auckland
The Zoom link to join is https://auckland.zoom.us/j/92419825738
• Qld: RAC Organising meeting
Wednesday 16 December 6.30pm AEST
We Need You
Online via Zoom
• NSW: Grandmothers NSW Live Online
Wednesday 16th December 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Listen to Refugee Voices
Register on Zoom
Return to the top of the page.
• Auswide: Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSAR) Webinar
Tuesday 15 December 3030 11:00am – 12:00pm AEST
From Solidarity to Solutions: a Review of 2020 and Garnering Hope for 2021.
Via Zoom.
• ARAN Network of Letter Writing Groups
Wednesday 9 December 8.00pm AEDT.
To join in, contact ARAN
Income support: thousands are still with no safety net. If your group is financially supporting refugees let us know. We would like to hear from you via the ARAN contact form, subject line: Supporting refugees.
• Refugee Legal The ‘Not the Annual Dinner’
Online on Thursday 26 November 2020 7.00pm to 8.30pm
We are honoured to have Behrouz Boochani to deliver the keynote address, live from New Zealand. The MC for the night is Tom Ballard, award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, writer and broadcaster.
Bookings on TryBooking
• Sponsorship to Canada – Operation #NotForgotten Information Session for Supporters and Advocates
Friday 20 November 10.00am – 11.30am (AEDT)
Hear about what the project has been able to accomplish, its challenges and expectations for next 12 months.
Register via EventBrite
• Qld: Refugee Action Committee (RAC) Online organising meeting
Wednesday 18 November 2020 6.30pm AEST
On Zoom
• Online: Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November 2020 AEDT
2020 Kaldor Centre Virtual Conference: New frontiers of refugee law in a closed world. Find out more and register on the Kaldor Centre website.
• Refugees and the media Online
Monday 16 November 2020 6.00pm AEDT
With Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia journalist, Debbie Whitmont, former ABC journalist and Middle East correspondent and Wendy Bacon, journalist, activist and former Professor of Journalism, UTS
Presented by Sydney RAC
Register to join the meeting via Zoom
More info on Facebook Events
• Adelaide: Sunday 15 November 2.30 – 4.00 pm AEDT
Adelaide Piano Quarter Concert
Join us at St John’s Church in the city for an afternoon of music.
St John’s Church 379 Halifax Street Adelaide.
Other details and tickets from EventBrite
Justice for Refugees SA.
• Hope for Nauru Online discussion
Friday 13 November 1.00 pm – 2.00pm
You are invited to a discussion with Nadine Cohen from Hope for Nauru.
Nadine is an advertising, media and entertainment writer with bylines in the Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, Crikey and more. She has previously raised funds for other charities including ChilOut and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Register in advance for this meeting
• Online: Friday 13 November 1.00pm – 2.00pm AEDT
An invitation to a discussion with Nadine Cohen from Hope for Nauru
Friends and family welcome. More details soon.
• Online: Wednesday 4 November 1.00pm – 2.00pm AEDT
Disembarking to danger: Exploring Australia’s airport asylum policies
Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law
Join us for a free online panel discussion about how Australia’s airport asylum policies risk returning refugees to harm. With Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Kristina Keneally and the Kaldor Centre’s Regina Jefferies. Leading the discussion will be Human Rights Watch researcher Sophie McNeill.
Register on EventBrite.
• Online: Wednesday 28 Oct 2020 12.30pm – 1.30pm AEDT
UnChartered: Health, Housing, Human Rights and COVID-19
From the Human Rights Law Centre: with Annie Butler Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Kate Colvin Spokesperson, Everybody’s Home Campaign, Hugh de Kretser Executive Director Human Rights Law Centre and moderated by Verity Firth Executive Director UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion.
Register on Zoom.
• Online: Wednesday 28 Oct 2020 10.00am – 1.00pm (AEDT)
The Politicisation of Seeking Asylum
A free webinar with Alison Mountz (Wilfrid Laurier University), Behrouz Boochani (Ngi Tahu Research Centre, Canterbury University/UNSW) and more.
Co-sponsored by Challenging Racism Project and the Diversity and Human Rights Research Centre (Western Sydney University) and Academics for Refugees.
Register on Zoom.
• Online: Monday October 26th 1pm to 2.30pm AEDT
How to navigate the Human Rights complaint environment in Australia with a focus on detained refugees and the stateless.
A Grandmothers NSW Live Online training session with Alison Battisson from Human Rights for All.
Register in advance for this Zoom meeting.
• Online: Wednesday 21 October 6.30pm AEDT
Genocide & Flight – The Plight of Rohingya Refugees.
Online Forum. Hosted by Refugee Action Campaign Canberra.
Find out more on from the RAC Newsletter.
• Australia wide: October 2020
The National Migrant and Refugee Women in Australia Survey
Harmony Alliance and Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre are conducting the Migrant and Refugee Women in Australia survey.
• Online: September and November 2020
Cultural Connexions: Esmat Noori talks about his flight from the Taliban and his four year journey via detention in Indonesia to Australia.
Multiple dates: May, September and November 2020
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Parke Street Katoomba 2779
There’s more information and booking details at Eventbrite
Hosted by Cultural Connections.
• Asylum seeker symposium
Wednesday 28 October 2020
Register on Eventbrite
• #GameOver Campaign National Day of Action & petition delivery
Wednesday 28 October Midday AEST
The #GameOver team, along with athlete ambassadors Craig Foster and Sonny Bill Williams will be handing over the #GameOver petition – signed by over 60,000 Australians – demanding that Scott Morrison and the Australian Government accept New Zealand’s long standing offer to resettle refugees from offshore detention. On Zoom.
• Refugee Council of Australia National Asylum Policy Network Meeting
Wednesday 28 October 12:00pm Online
Join the Zoom Meeting
• Amnesty MP calling Online
Wednesday 28 October 12.00pm AEDT
We’ll be joined by refugee artist Farhad Bandesh from Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation. We’ll be providing an update on #GameOver.
Register for this event via Zoom
• Monday 26 October 1.00pm to 2.30pm Zoom
Training session with Alison Battisson from Human Rights for All.
How to navigate the Human Rights complaint environment in Australia with a focus on detained refugees and the stateless.
Register in advance for this meeting
More about Human Rights for All
• Online Forum Wednesday 21 October 6.30pm AEDT
Genocide and flight: the plight of Rohingya refugees
Refugee Action Campaign Canberra (RAC).
Join the forum on Zoom.
• Queensland Wednesday 21 October 6.30pm
RAC Qld Organising meeting – online.
We are in need of supporters to help us build a stronger grass roots refugee rights campaign.
Join via Zoom.
• Canberra Thursday 8 October 6.00pm – 7.15pm
Refugees Action Campaign (RAC) Canberra General Meeting
Be part of the discussion as we chart a way forward for the refugee rights campaign here in Canberra for the remainder of 2020. All are welcome.
Zoom Meeting link.
• Australia wide Friday 9 October 7.00pm
Refugee Advocacy Network (RAN) screening of Island of the Hungry Ghosts. An evocative film set on Christmas Island in 2018. Q&A session follows with Christine Cummins, a counsellor who worked on Christmas Island with refugees in detention and Pamela Curr OAM, prominent refugee advocate will give an update on the current situation for those currently detained on Christmas Island.
Free online event: join via Zoom.
If you would like to make donation go to the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project.
• Darwin Thursday 1 October 2020 Deckchair Cinema
Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network (DASSAN) present
Chuaka: Please Tell Us The Time.
Tickets from the NT Writers Centre.
• Canberra/Melbourne/Sydney: Wednesday 30 September 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Virtual meeting with Madeline Gleeson from the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law and award-winning author of Offshore: Behind the Wire on Manus and Nauru.
Register on Zoom.
• Saturday 19 September 2020
Regional and Rural Australia: RAR Annual General Meeting
Rural Australians for Refugees.
• Brisbane: Sunday 13 September 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Solidarity Sunday: Faith Vigil #FreeTheKP120
721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
People of faith please come a prayerful vigil and silent meditation in support of the KP120 (i.e. the people indefinitely detained at the Kangaroo Point Alternative Place of Detention or APOD).
More detail on Facebook Events.
• Australia wide: Tuesday 15 September 2020 10am – 12pm
Refugee Communities in Cultural Transition Forum: sharing our stories, showcasing our successes.
Presented by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS).
Speakers include Chris Sidoti plus a panel discussion.
Register on Zoom.
• Australia wide: 6 to 12 September
National Week of Solidarity (during Child Protection Week)
A week of digital and on-site events reaching out to the networks among tertiary institutions, colleges and universities, spreading the word state-wide and nationally to support the call to campaign for children and families seeking asylum gaining access to a social safety net during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Part of the #NoChildLeftBehind campaign RCOA have organised webinars to show their support with students seeking asylum.
More information and registration at nochildleftbehind.com.au
• Thursday 10 September 2020 6.00pm – 7.00pm (AEDT)
Moments for Change; a conversation.
Online with Behrouz Boochani, Grace Williams and Julian Burnside.
The Live Panel and Q&A.
Find out more.
Return to the top of the page.
• Qld: Wednesday 9 September 6.30pm
Refugee Action Campaign (RAC)
Organising meeting: everyone is welcome
Online via Zoom.
• Manus Recording Project Collective
How are you today? Where are you today?
Every day for a month, beginning on 1 August, you’ll receive a text message with a new ten-minute audio recording from Farhad Bandesh, Farhad Rahmati, Samad Abdul, Shamindan Kanapathi, Thanush Selvraj or Yasin Abdallah.
Find out how to hook in to this project.
• Online Q&A with Craig Foster
Monday 31 August 2.00pm – 3.00pm (AEST)
Join us for a zoom discussion with Craig, Ambassador for Amnesty, Australia Committee Human Rights Watch, and the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute.
A Grandmothers for Refugees NSW event.
Register in advance on Zoom.
• The next National Asylum Policy Network (APN) meeting
Wednesday 26 August 12.00pm-1.30pm (AEST)
Agenda includes the RCOA survey: housing issues for people on insecure visas.
Refugee Council Of Australia is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
• Online Grandmothers for Refugees guest speaker
Monday 17 August 2.00pm – 3.00pm (AEST)
With Angela Fredericks a Biloela resident and social worker. Since March last year, she has been working alongside other Bilo community members to bring ‘Home to Bilo’ a young Tamil family who has sought safety on our shores but who remain in detention on Christmas Island.
Join Zoom Meeting
Also, if you’re a Novocastrian don’t forget the Newcastle Grandmother’s weekly vigil: every Thursday at 5.00pm outside the City Hall.
• The #NoChildLeftBehind campaign webinar
Wednesday 19 August 6.00pm
More than 16,000 children and young people seeking asylum in Australia, and their families are ineligible for JobKeeper, JobSeeker and some do not have access to medicare.
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) are calling for an expansion of a basic safety net for the duration of the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn, so people aren’t left destitute and completely homeless.
This one hour information session will let you know how you can become more involved. Hosted by RCOA.
More information and registrations on nochildleftbehind.com.au
• Islamophobia and Refugees; the prejudice behind the policy
Wednesday 19 August 6.00pm
This online meeting with Mehreen Faruqi and Jeff Sparrow – and MC’d by ANU Emeritus Professor John Minns – will discuss the racism and prejudice behind the cruel policies towards refugees.
Sponsored by the Refugee Action Committee Canberra
Find out more at refugeeaction.org and on Facebook Events.
• Unions for Refugees Zoom Event
Wednesday 19 August 6.30pm
Calling all unionists! Join Unions for Refugees for an online discussion with
Craig Foster, Saif and Nikki Lees.
More information and Zoom link.
• Asylum Policy Network teleconferences
Wednesday 26 August midday to 1.30pm (AEST)
Australian Refugee Action Network ARAN
These will be held on the second Wednesday of each month across 2020-2021
Join the meetings via Zoom.
• Sector Advocacy Teleconference
The Australian Refugee Action Network invites you to attend this
important meeting:
Thursday Aug 13 2020
Midday – 1.00pm (AEST)
More details including registration: email austrefugeenetwork@gmail.com
• Poetry and Decarceration
Thursday 13 August 2020
A digital poetry night with readings from Hani Abdile and Awale Ahmed.
Road to Refuge
More detail on Facebook Events.
• Online: Thursday 6th August 12.30pm – 1.30pm (AEST)
Community Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (CRSI) Information session
The federal government is currently reviewing its refugee sponsorship policies and we are hopeful that a suitable federal program could be available next year.
Register to attend or to receive further information.
• Qld: Wednesday 29 July 6.30pm
Refugee Action Collective Queensland (RAC) organising meeting
Online: RAC-Qld.
• Thursday 2 July Online 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Pressing ‘Reset’ on Resettlement: How a lifeline can survive COVID-19
A Kaldor Centre webinar.
An expert panel including Kate O’Malley (UNHCR Canberra), Sally Pfeiffer (Department of Home Affairs), Paul Power (Refugee Council of Australia) and Melika Yassin Sheikh-Eldin (AMES Australia) in a conversation moderated by Kaldor Centre Director Jane McAdam.
Register on Eventbrite.
• Wednesday 24 June Online
Children and Young People in Asylum and Refugee Processes
Book Launch
Wednesday 24 June, 6.00 – 7.00pm
Join RACSydney and Professor Simon Bronitt, Dean of Sydney Law School for the launch of an important new book.
Register online (Sydney University webinar booking).
• The Human Rights Law Centre Our Fairer Future Appeal
Launches on Monday 1 June.
Read the Refugee Advocacy Network’s (RAN -Victoria) submission.
• Webinar: All in this together? The pandemic, people seeking asylum, and refugees in Australia
Thursday, 14 May from 1.00pm – 2.00pm
A free Kaldor Centre virtual discussion with a panel of experts will bring you up to date on the impact of COVID-19 on refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. Send us your questions so we ensure we cover as many perspectives as possible in this one-hour lunchtime webinar. Register on Eventbrite.
• RAC General Meeting – via Zoom
Thursday 6 August 2020: 6.00pm -7.15pm
RAC General Meeting Zoom Link.
• A Conversation on Decarceration
Thursday 6 August 2020
An ‘in conversation’ between David Mejia Canales and Aran Mylvaganam
Hosted by Behind the Wire and Road to Refuge
More detail on Facebook Events.
• Our Pursuit of Happiness
A project that shares stories of hope from women who have sought refuge in Australia.
Thursday 30 July 2020
3.30pm–4.15pm
Details at https://bsl.zoom.us/s/93647812289.
• Watch Cruel Policy from by Farhad Bandesh, featuring contributions from across the world, including Stateless actor Fayssal Bazzi, lead singer of Hothouse Flowers Liam Ó Maonlaí, lead singer of Goanna Shane Howard, actor Damian Callahan, comedian The Merger, Craig Foster (ex Socceroo), Lidia Thorpe (Senator) and Nick McKim (Senator) along with people who are detained.
• Australia wide: Thursday 30 July 3.30pm – 4.15pm
Our Pursuit of Happiness
Road to Refuge in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence have been supporting newly arrived refugee women to create Our Pursuit of Happiness, an ebook that shares stories of hope from women who have sought refuge in Australia. Celebrate the launch online via the Zoom link for the launch.
• Refugee Council of Australia
National Asylum Policy Network (APN): Wednesday 22 July Midday
Zoom meeting: contact sahar.okhovat@refugeecouncil.org.au for access details.
• Thursday 2 July 1.00 – 2.00pm
Pressing ‘reset’ on resettlement: how a lifeline can survive COVID-19
A free Kaldor Centre online discussion.
More information and registrations on the Kaldor Centre website.
• View this: Imagining A More Welcoming Australia
Recorded on World Refugee Day Saturday June 20th July 2020, this video is an edited version of the World Refugee Day forum and features the online discussion with panel members.
This forum was hosted by the Australian Refugee Action Network (ARAN).
• Listen now
The Andaman Sea Crisis: 5 years podcast
Kaldor Centre’s special series marking the five-year anniversary of the Andaman Sea crisis when 8,000 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants were left stranded at sea
Listen on the Kaldor Centre website.
Return to the top of the page.
Campaign, actions, meetings and events 2019
Make Australia kind again
Detainees at a high-security detention centre in Melbourne’s north say they are concerned for the welfare of a severely mentally unwell Canadian woman who has been locked up in the facility.
The 64-year-old woman is understood to be suffering from serious mental health problems. Detainees have been told the woman has dementia, but it’s unclear whether she has been formally diagnosed by a psychiatrist.
To sign this petition go to https://bit.ly/33dYCiZ
I Choose Humane:
As the Federal election looms we’re sending a message to politicians that we want policies for people seeking asylum that are humane, not cruel. Sign the pledge today to show your support!
To sign this petition go to https://bit.ly/2YHzq2k
Petition to Scott Morrison re Rajan:
Our government has kept Rajan locked up in immigration detention for almost 10 years. Now he has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Please let Rajan live in our community with the support of the many friends who care for him.
To sign this petition go to http://chng.it/xkS4bvK5zB
Campaign, actions, meetings and events 2018
5 Years Too Many
5th Anniversary of Offshore Detention
Monday July 16 to Sunday July 22 2018.
Find out more.
Super Saturday By-Elections
Federal By-Elections Campaign July 28 2018
Citizenship Bill
Submissions closed on April 27 2018.
Don’t miss your chance to say “NO” to proposed changes to citizenship law. The Parliamentary Committee online survey which allows you to express your view on the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Commitments for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2018 closes at 5pm on 27 April 2018 AEST.
The proposed legislation would require an eight year wait to apply for citizenship, instead of one year. The Bill also demands much higher-level English competency for citizenship.
Long waiting periods for citizenship and excessively high English competence are unjust, unfair and cruel barriers to the most vulnerable new arrivals, who have so much to contribute to Australia as citizens.
Written submissions can also be sent to Citizenshipbill@aph.gov.au. Please circulate this message to community members and stakeholders.
See sample submission on the Bill here.
Palm Sunday 2018
Thousands took to the streets across Australia in 2018.
Palm Sunday rally photos 2018 and on our Facebook page.
Return to the top of the page.
2017
Manus Crisis 2017
Manus crisis actions 2017.
National Day of Action
Rallies were organised for a
National Day of Action on
Sunday October 8 2018.
Current events in all states and territories
Current Campaigns around Australia
