Media Releases Aid agencies, businesses, charities and individuals unite to say ‘For those who’ve come across the seas we’ve boundless plains to share…’
| Aid agencies, businesses, charities and individuals unite to say ‘For those who’ve come across the seas we’ve boundless plains to share…’ |
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Monday, 20 December, 2010
Joining the growing chorus of kind‐hearted Australians wishing to give the new arrivals to Inverbrackie detention centre a positive reception, dozens of individuals and organisations are uniting to ensure these and future asylum seekers receive a warm welcome and ongoing support. Including Natasha Stott Despoja, World Vision, Anglicare SA, Uniting Church SA, Bar 9 Cafe and the Circles of Friends these agencies are working together to mobilise the increasing number of South Australians who want to provide practical support to new arrivals and help the wider public to access accurate information about asylum seekers, their stories and the related human rights and legal issues. Spokesperson for the organisations listed below, Brad Chilcott, said the shared belief of the group is that, ‘There are thousands of Australians who believe asylum seekers deserve a traditional ‘fair go’, that generosity, respect and barracking for the underdog are traditional Aussie values, and that many Australians are looking for an opportunity to give these families a warm welcome to our shores.’ ‘We believe that a truly Australian response to the arrival of asylum seekers includes recognised Australian values such as the ‘fair go’, generosity and respect. We believe the words of our national anthem – ‘for those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share’ – should be expressed in our willingness to extend a hand of mutual support, humility and friendship,’ Brad said. ‘We believe that all asylum seekers should have their claims processed quickly and fairly – and that in the meantime, Australians should offer them the hospitality and friendship they deserve as our international brothers and sisters.’ ‘We believe that the Australian public deserves to be correctly educated about the facts surrounding asylum seekers. We believe that as citizens of a signatory nation to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is important for Australians to be informed that we have recognized the legal right of anyone to ‘...seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution’ (Article 14).’ Signatory organisations and key individuals: |
Inverbrackie statement (joint) (
