Welcome to the new look MAJic

We will be bringing you information and suggestions for action. We welcome any comments, questions or activities undertaken to promote a more Just World.

 Editors

Margaret Hinchey                              Marie Butcher

margaret@lifequestoz.net                mbutcher@mercy.org.au    

 

"INNOCENT VICTIMS: CHILDREN'S DRAWINGS FROM THE WOOMERA DETENTION CENTRE" on exhibition at Mary McKillop Place Museum,

‘Innocent Victims: Children’s Drawings from the Woomera Detention Centre’ depicts the lives of child detainees as seen through their eyes. The exhibition consists of 20 drawings created by children who were detained in the Woomera detention centre. These drawings vividly express everyday life, conditions and experiences. Many of the drawings depict the violence witnessed by the children when Australian Correctional Management used water cannons, tear gas and batons on detainees.

Date: Sunday 8 August - Tuesday 28 September

When: Open daily 10.00am - 4.00pm

Where: Mary MacKillop Place Museum, 7 Mount Street, North Sydney

 

 THE AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS STATEMENT

ON REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

 We were heartened by a small increase in the refugee program for 2004/2005. But we expressed the hope that these numbers would increase further in coming years and that Australia would also be ready to respond promptly to crisis that produce refugees. We called for the nation’s response to asylum seekers to be just, compassionate and consistent with Australian obligations under International Law. We pleaded the cause of refugees and asylum seekers again (as we had done in 2002) because the Gospel compels us to do so. Finally we called for alternatives to mandatory detention for unaccompanied minors and for children who accompany their parents. Such alternatives must respect the importance of family unit and family reunion. (14th may 2004)

 

Conference of Religious Leaders NSW have produced a paper: Response to Protecting Australia, Protecting the Australian Way : Labor’s Policy on Asylum Seekers &Refugees. Click on the following link to access the paper.

http://www.clrinsw.org/Files%20pointed%20to/Response%20to%20Labor%27s%20Refugee%20Policy.pdf

Sunday 29 August Refugee & Migrant Sunday

Theme:Migration a view to peaces…

Resources to help celebrate the day can be obtained through the:

National Council of Churches http://www.ncca.org.au/christian_world_service/at_work_with_refugees/refugee_and_migrant_sunday

The Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office http://www.acmro.catholic.org.au/news/2004_ref_sunday.htm

 

Let's not make refugees election fodder - again

29 August 2004

The announcement of the Federal Election today was welcomed by A Just Australia as an opportunity to show how many Australians have wised up since the Tampa election of 2001, said Mr Howard Glenn, National Director.

"The very timing of the election demonstrates the Government's keen awareness of public concern over its refugee policies", Mr Glenn said

"But this Federal Election there will be two big differences.

"Firstly, since Tampa, tens of thousands of Australians have become committed to the cause of refugee rights.

"Secondly, in the last three years we've gained a great deal of expertise in the community, from Australians making it their business to get to know and welcome refugees who have been given such a raw deal.

"There are now many active groups in marginal electorates who will not allow lies about refugees to go unchallenged or allow refugees to become election fodder.

"This strong national network of organisations and individuals will work to reward those candidates who support justice and a fair go for refugees and asylum seekers, rather than those who promote fear like last time.

"We welcome Minister Vanstone's efforts even as late as today to review more long term detainees' detention.


"There is no need to delay this process because of the election. There would be bi-partisan support for more reviews of the long term detainees - for the closure of Nauru and the removal of the remaining children from immigration detention."

Mr Glenn urged the media to use A Just Australia and other authorities to check the claims made by politicians on refugee and asylum seekers during the election.

A wide range of opinion leaders; refugees who have been through the detention process; people who have experienced Woomera, Nauru, Curtin and Pt Hedland; children who have been harmed by the lies, and above all facts and analysis are available during the campaign.

"The harm done to thousands of refugees by the last election is fresh in our minds, and we are committed to making this election a different result for these most vulnerable in our community", Mr Glenn said.

WHAT CAN YOU DO??????? Check out www.ajustaustralia.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite Premier Carr’s promise to ‘end export woodchipping by the year 200’, the woodchipping industry continues to devour our native forests.

 Woodchipping is defined as a ‘waste wood’ industry- allegedly using only the stumps and branches of trees for ‘high quality saw logs’. 

A volunteer researcher recently wrote :I couldn’t believe my eyes when we arrived at the woodchip mill at Eden. We spent the day there doing a survey. In eight hours I counted 116 trucks carrying enormous, old trees like the ones I had seen in the forest. Some of them may have been 200 years old. Watching the log trucks thunder past with those old trees piled up on the back made my heart sink. It made me wonder how many animals had died from just one day of logging. . And this for toothpicks and toilet paper for foreign markets!   www.wilderness.org.au

 

  SALINITY IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM

                   In the lead up to the Federal election 2004, PolMin is organising a

                    community based campaign in Western   Sydney  on Water and

                    Salinity.

 

       Urban salinity is now recognised as a growing

         problem with potentially high costs to the

         communities affected. If it is unmanaged it can result

         in significant problems for a variety of infrastructure including buildings, roads, underground services, parks and gardens.

Urban salinity affects built infrastructure due to the chemical and physical impact of salt on concrete, bricks and metal. It is seen as crumbling, eroded or powdering mortar or bricks, the flaking of brick facing and the cracking or corrosion of concrete. The salt within the material can also have a corrosive effect on steel enforcing. The long-term consequence can be structural damage.

Areas of extensive salinity hazard: Windsor, Riverstone, Penrith, St.Marys, Mount Druit, Blacktown, Luddenham, Prospect….

What is the salinity policy of your local council, state government and Federal Government?

For more information visit the following websites.

www.polmin.com.au                     www.brs.gov.au/land&waters/salinity/index.html

 

Conference of Religious Leaders NSW have produced a 4 page article on Water. Click the following link

http://www.clrinsw.org/Files%20pointed%20to/Watermark%20June%20%2004.pdf

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