Category: Updates

The Circle of Friends Australia (COFA) Management Committee is looking for a volunteer to assist the Treasurer with accounting and book-keeping. The position will be principally home-based and will involve approximately 4 hours per week, with availability to respond to queries, attend meetings and network.

The Assistant treasurer will work with the Treasurer of Circle of Friends Australia Inc (COFA) whose responsibilities are:
– the sound financial administration of the organisation as a whole;
– ensuring compliance with financial reporting requirements, both internal and external;
– regularly reviewing financial procedures;
– advising the management committee on financial strategy

Circle of Friends Australia Inc. (COFA) is a registered charity that operates mainly in South Australia. It consists of a number of local community groups (Circles) which support refugees and asylum-seekers, both those living in the community, mainly in South Australia, but also some living in other countries in need of help. The overall management of COFA is the responsibility of the Management Committee, of which the treasurer is an integral part.

If you are interested a more detailed position description is available. To express your interest email Bruce Whyatt, Treasurer or Henrietta Wighton, Chair.

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

• Suggested points to raise in letters, email and/or meetings with politicians.
• Sample letter – make sure you tweak the letter to make it unique.
• Contact details of all MPs and Senators here
• List of Ministers and portfolios
• PETITION: Give permanent protection to people seeking asylum – Amnesty International Australia – please share widely
• Handout leaflet for general public for use on street on stalls etc
• Proforma letter to Minister for signing on street stalls etc (these are easy to get signed, and we suggest bundling and sending in bulk)
• Placards to display at street stalls V1  or V2    or use your own of course !
• Social Media Tiles/Memes