BRIGIDINE ASYLUM SEEKERS PROJECT INFORMATION & DISCUSSION SESSIONS Port Phillip mayor, Darren Ray, is urging local residents to take advantage of the four information and discussions sessions being offered by the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project in Albert Park from October 7 -10.
Topics scheduled for discussion include detention centre, mandatory detention, the political realities at work, some of the myths surrounding the issue and the 'Pacific Solution'. The motto for the project is the biblical quotation, "I was a stranger and you made me welcome." Cr Ray congratulated the Brigidine sisters on their amazing work with refugees. "The Brigidine sisters offer shelter to asylum seekers. They visit asylum seekers in the Maribyrnong detention centre and organise others who want to do likewise. Through campaigns and information sessions, they fight for the rights of asylum seekers. "The City of Port Phillip shares their concerns which is one reason why, in June, we joined with other local governments in declaring this municipality a 'refugee welcome zone'. The initiative is being promoted by the Refugee Council of Australia. We have also adopted a policy on asylum seekers. "There has been a long and proud history of refugee settlement in Port Phillip, especially since World War 11. Thousands of refugees from war-torn Europe landed at Station Pier and settled locally. This was part of the impetus behind the Tampa Tribute in May. In the Middle East, Jews and Muslims are at loggerheads but here in Australia, and most especially this community, the Jewish community has been most vociferous in speaking up for the rights of refugees, many of whom are Muslim. They know what it is like to be a stranger in a strange land, or in a strange sea. "At the moment, unlike our counterparts in Moreland, Darebin and Dandenong, the City of Port Phillip is not directly involved in settling people on temporary protection visas. Some have joined our community thanks to amazing efforts of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Projects and four currently live in a house on Beaconsfield Parade. Other refugees live in Office of Housing accommodation in places like Park Towers in South Melbourne," he said. The information and discussion sessions are at 52 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park (enter from Foote Street): * 1-3pm, Monday October 7 * 7.30 - 9.30pm, Monday October 7 * 7.30 - 9.30pm, Wednesday October 9 * 1-3pm, Monday October 10 Book by ringing 9696 2107 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries: After hours Carmel Shute Darren Ray Council Media Officer Mayor Tel: 9209 6163 Fax: 9525 4640 Tel: 9527 5364 (h) Mobile: 0412 569 356 Mobile: 0413 334 523 Council webpage: www.portphillip.vic.gov.au Carmel Shute Council Media Officer City of Port Phillip Ph: 03 9209 6163 Fax: 03 9525 4640 Mob: 0412 569 356 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink