Category: Updates

Take new action for Permanency Campaign – Nov 2024

Below is information prepared by the national Permanency and Family Reunion Network about what you can do on an individual level to lobby on behalf of people seeking asylum who have been denied permanency under the discredited ‘fast-track’ system. With nearly 9,000 people still waiting for permanent visas, action is needed.

Dear Refugee Supporter

You may have already been active in supporting the campaign for Permanent Visas.     A campaign group is meeting regularly to monitor development, and to share ideas for ongoing advocacy with MPs and to inform the broader public.    You probably know that there have been protests in 5 capital cities – the Sydney Protest reached 100 days on November 13 and continues. The protest in Brisbane is now over 80 days.  Refugees in Melbourne are continuing a series of actions.

The Permanency and Family Reunion Network has been meeting fortnightly, and we have compiled this campaign update with suggested actions.   We encourage you to continue being active in this campaign, and to share through your networks – the more people who take action, the more likely it is there will be change.

Current campaign strategy  

The protests by people unfairly denied protection under Fast Track, together with the advocacy efforts of supporters appear to be having some impact.  There are indications that the Minister is considering various options to grant permanency.  However, it is not clear what process is actually being considered, or the likely timeframe.

And with the federal election looming, urgent action is needed.

Here are suggested actions to keep up the pressure for change:

  1. Contact federal politicians:
    1. Email, phone, and/or request meetings with federal Labor MPs and Senators, and progressive Independents in your state, to raise your concerns, and to ask them to raise these concerns with the Minister.   Alternatively, address your letter to the Minister and cc your local politicians.
    2. Send your message to the Prime Minister – use  Contact Form PM
    3. Send a version of your letter to some or all of the Ministers listed below, with an individual pitch to their area of responsibility.
  2. Share the Amnesty Petition through your networks
  3. To raise public awareness, share the memes provided below on social media or by other means.
  4. Hold street stalls and provide the handout below and ask people to sign the proforma letter (also below).

Here are resources to assist you to undertake the suggested actions:

Note – to edit documents downloaded from these links you will need to save a copy to your own device

Support a Palestinian Family who have fled the destruction of their home

The Gaza Support Circle (135) was set up by Laila, a Palestinian-Australian, who has lived in Adelaide for nine years. After countless attempts, and trying many different strategies, Laila’s family were finally permitted to escape their war-torn homeland of Gaza and come to Australia on a 12-month Visitor Visa. Their house was bombed, family members killed, all possessions destroyed, and their savings obliterated in the collapse of the banking system. They fled Gaza with only the clothes on their backs.

Once this Visitor Visa lapses, they hope to gain a Protection Visa for refugees with the right to work. They have the qualifications and skills that Australia needs – Kefih is a doctor, Freih a civil engineer, and Ahmed has a Bachelor of English Literature. They’re trying to keep busy and volunteer. Until they are given the right to work mid next year, they cannot earn an income.

With help from some very generous people, they have a roof over their heads for the moment. To keep this accommodation ongoing, they must pay for rent and utility bills. The Gaza Support Circle (135) is seeking your generosity to raise funds to support the payment of rent, gas and electricity, water and some daily incidentals until they receive the right to work and can support themselves. Any amount, big or small, will be gratefully received.

Donate now through our secure GiveNow page.

It is very important to ensure you check the “Gaza Support (135) Circle” box when donating so that your donation goes to this Circle.

Good News Stories from the Circles: families settling into new life in Australia

At the AGM earlier this year the various Circles shared updates on their work. Here are a couple of success stories from Circles who have been supporting refugee families.

Family from South America settling into life in Australia

Carol Collin reports that members of the Willunga Circle first started visiting a  mother and her four children, refugees from a South American country, last year when they lived in a cold flat in the city. At the end of last year they moved to an old house north-west of the city, and are now very happy.  They like this area very much as it is quiet with some nice parks and good bus services.

The eldest child is doing well at school, has made friends and now has a part-time job at Enzo’s at Home (Italian pre-made pasta dishes). The business has been very supportive and has been giving him hours that fit in with his school work. He says it’s a great place to work and that there are other Spanish speaking people working there. Apparently Enzo’s products can be bought at IGA!

The other children are also happy at school. The eldest daughter would like to do nursing and then perhaps become a doctor. The three-year old goes to a creche at TAFE while Mum tries hard – but is finding it difficult – to learn English. Of course, her 3 year old’s English is good and improving rapidly.

As Carol says, all in all, they are now a happy well-settled family.

Family from Sri Lanka reunited and on their way to self-sufficiency

A Sri Lankan family who arrived by boat many years ago have endured a long period of great hardship but are now finally starting to make a life for themselves.

Around 5 years ago, a desperate worker from Red Cross contacted  the Rapid Response Circle  as the father of the family was in detention and the support payment entitlement provided to the mother, S. and the 4 children was about to be cut. With no way to cover living expenses S and her children were in danger of having to live on the streets, despite receiving considerable help from the Effective Living Centre Circle.

S’s husband, in detention, tried his best to find somewhere for his wife and children to live. Initially they were able to share a house with the husband’s brother, sister-in-law and three children. They then all moved to a farmhouse in the country after the brother-in-law managed to find work on the farm, and S and her children continued to be supported by Rapid Response Circle and the Willunga Circle.

This living arrangement, however, was not sustainable, given the number of people in the house. Helped by a small Church community, S and her children returned to suburban Adelaide and were allowed to live for two years in a small Church hall, having to pack up their belongings every week when church services took place.

Both Circle of Friends and the Vinnies Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service in Kilburn continued to help S and her family. S managed to study and now has a qualification in Aged Care. She is actively looking for work but struggles due to the written language requirements of the job. Further English language tuition may be needed.

Without any notice, S’s husband was released from detention, which led to great joy for the whole family. He set out immediately to do some training and find work in order to start supporting the family. He now works approximately four days a week and the family, with the help of Vinnies and an understanding agent, has found a house to rent. They no longer have to live in the Church hall which is a great relief. Visitors to the house are greeted by 2 multi-coloured pots of flowers at the front door.

The family still needs some help to cover their living costs, but it is much reduced and they are on their way to becoming self-sufficient.

This story is a great example of what can be achieved not only be the determination, courage and resilience of the refugee family themselves, but also what happens when different organisations collaborate and work together – in this case, the Church that provided the hall, Circle of Friends, the Vinnies Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service and Red Cross.

Time is running out to bring an Afghan family to safety in Australia: Can you help?

The Family Reunion Circle (115) has been asked to help a family raise the money for airfares and exit visas from Pakistan for an Afghan family of seven living and hiding there. The Pakistani government has been deporting all Afghans without valid visas, and this family is hiding so they can come to Australia as soon as possible.

The family received their Humanitarian visa in April 2024, after the father’s brother applied for them to come, but they haven’t been able to afford the airfares and exit visas. The sponsor’s adult children have been sending what money they can to support their relatives in Pakistan. We are in a hurry to raise this  money for the family to come, because they are in danger of being deported to Afghanistan, and the last date they can arrive in Australia is the 6th October. After that their visa becomes invalid.

The Exit visas and airfares cost $40,000 for the seven people which is an enormous cost. The extended family can raise $5,000 between them, their Afghan community can loan $10,000, Their pro bono lawyer has offered to raise $2,000 – $3,000 from her network and Family Reunion Circle (115) has offered $9,000 which will empty our coffers, apart from 2 commitments. This leaves $4,000.

Can you help us raise this $4,000? Donations big and small will be gratefully received. When you make your donation please check the Family Reunion Circle 115 box to ensure funds are directed to helping bring this family to Australia.

Thank you for considering this request.

Monica O’Wheel for the Family Reunion Circle (115)

Donate Now

Rapid Response Circle Update May 2024: the good news and the challenges

As we end the 22nd year of Circles of Friends (founded in May 2002) there is the usual blend of good news and challenges.

Recognition for the vital role of all the volunteers in Circle of Friends Australia
A UniSA PHD Thesis completed in 2023 showed that Circles of Friends continue to occupy a unique support niche.  As was the original goal, the Circles complement what Agencies provide and do so responsibly, with compassion, with a minimum of red tape and in good time.  (Dr Alison Reid, “Band-Aids in a Battlefield.”)

One key component at the core of this undeviating journey is the involvement of people from all walks of life and backgrounds, in whatever way they can contribute, so that a wide, up to date range of information and ideas constantly informs those providing direct services through the Circles.

We need more volunteers
Currently the Rapid Response Circle is looking for 4 -6 new members for a range of roles.  If you are someone who spends a lot of time near their computer, or who is regarded as “houseproud” or “fussy,” or who doesn’t mind 80 km or so round trips to make deliveries, you could be  just the person needed.  For an outline of what is involved in one  of these roles, please contact Tricia Dundon (Convenor of the Rapid Response Circle)

Dire state of Asylum seekers across Australia: How the Rapid Response Circle is helping
Australia wide about 15 000 people seeking asylum are living in deep poverty and facing destitution.  More than 30 000 people who have sought protection in Australia do not have access to Medicare. (Refugee Council of Australia, 2024).

The type of temporary visas that an asylum seekers is on determines critical things like their right to work or study and, for a minority, access to Medicare (basic healthcare).  Amongst the asylum seekers the Rapid Response Circle supports are two men with no right to work or study; the  Circle covers rent and modest living expenses. The Rapid Response Circle also provides living expenses and part rent for two other men and a family of six where all the adults have work rights but remain unemployed.

Generally, the Rapid Response Circle partners with the SOS for Asylum Seekers Circle with the latter paying rent and the Rapid Response Circle paying living expenses and bills.  Expenditure by the Rapid Response Circle, on this cohort of asylum seekers alone, totals at least $4600 each month.  Total monthly expenditure is around $8000 per month.

During April 2024, in our triage role, the Rapid Response Circle received 11 new requests for help from workers at ARA, AMES, STTARS and the Salvation Army City Outreach team. Four were assisted by Blackwood/Hills Circle, Willunga Circle  and St Ignatius Refugee Education Circle.  The Rapid Response Circle responded to the remainder which included (unusually) a CPAP machine for a man with serious cardiac and other health challenges, a mobile phone for a homeless asylum seeker with no bank account or income and a particular heater for a woman with health issues.

Rapid Response Circle’s regular monthly income from donors is around $2000, which is a remarkable amount in the current economic climate in South Australia.  Regular weekly contributions of $5 become $260 over the year or $5720 over the 22 years we have been operating.  This amount, or more, is what some of the founding members of Circle of Friends have contributed. Significant supplementary grants have come from the Suzanne Elliot Trust Fund and, this year, Rapid Response Circle  and SOS for Asylum Seekers Circle each received $10,000 and $5,000 respectively from the Catholic Church Insurances Community Foundation.  A further $5000 from an anonymous donor was an unexpected boost and greatly appreciated.

Every donation, no matter how small it seems, helps build a solid amount of money that enables fast responses to calls for help.  In summer it meant up front motel costs could be paid within hours for a woman with two children who had nowhere to go on a 40-degree day, due to violence from her husband.  During this same burst of hot weather, fans were also purchased and delivered to three mothers unable to keep their babies cool.

As always, thanks to all of you who have contributed in any way to this Circle’s efforts to support asylum seeker and refugees.  Without your involvement it would be impossible.

Hoping 2024 is proving to be a good year for you and there are happy months ahead.

Tricia (Trish) Dundon, Convenor Rapid Response Circle.

  • If you would like to Donate via Bank Transfer or via a printable donation form click here.
  • To donate via our secure GiveNow page click here.