Religious leaders launch campaign to end indefinite detention in wake of Djokovic saga

Posted Feb  1, 2022 in News

Australia’s religious leaders have launched a campaign calling on Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese to work together to release asylum seekers in detention following the Novak Djokovic saga that drew international attention to their plight.

As the Australian Open recently drew to a close, more than 30 faith leaders have urged the Prime Minister and Opposition leader to restore Australia’s reputation as a compassionate country.

Leaders representing a wide cross section of faiths recently launched the campaign at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne with the release of a short film #SetThemFree from acclaimed director Richard Keddie (Ride Like a Girl, Oddball, Little Fish) and narrated by Baptist Minister Reverend Tim Costello. The short film highlights the plight of refugees still held in indefinite detention, including in Melbourne’s notorious Park Hotel.

‘Compassion is the core of every faith,’ Rev Tim Costello said. ‘It is significant that religious leaders are urging the Prime Minister, a man of faith, to meet with the Opposition leader and together do something that is ultimately good for all Australians – agree on releasing refugees and asylum seekers held in indefinite detention,’ he said.

‘There is currently no legislated end to indefinite detention. The refugees have been sacrificial lambs to the politics of border control and immigration for many years. This could be a watershed moment in which Australians can feel good about embracing a kinder approach.

In his Maiden Speech to Parliament Morrison said he derived from his faith “the values of loving kindness, justice and righteousness, to act with compassion and kindness, acknowledging our common humanity and to consider the welfare of others; to fight for a fair go for everyone to fulfil their human potential and to remove whatever unjust obstacles stand in their way.’

We call on the Prime Minister to draw on these values now.

Chair of the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria Jasbir Singh said the refugees and asylum seekers had sought Australia’s care but instead had lost years of their lives in detention. ‘There is now a great opportunity for our political leaders to bring closure to the detainees and to the Australian community,’ said Mr Singh.

Sister Brigid Arthur, coordinator of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP), said: ‘The Prime Minister and Opposition leader have the power to set them free. It is a question of whether they will open their hearts and act, not a question of what to do.’

The film #SetThemFree can be viewed on Twitter at @SetThemFree_AU.

Campaign media inquiries: Bridie Riordan, Brotherhood of St. Laurence PR Manager: 0491 159 256

The #SetThemFree campaign is a multi-faith initiative with Rev Tim Costello as its spokesperson. The Brotherhood of St. Laurence has always understood the value of faith communities in advocacy and is proudly supporting the campaign launch in a media coordination role.

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