A society is judged by how they treat their most vulnerable members. For the last 20 years, Australia has stolen refugees and stateless people’s life based on hypothetical future events. According to international law, indefinite detention is arbitrary and unlawful. Detention should only be used where it is absolutely necessary in the individual case, and there is no reasonable alternative available. It must be for the shortest possible time and reviewable by a court. The Edmund Rice Centre along with many other groups have advocate for change to these and other harsh policies often targeted at some of the world’s most vulnerable people. 8th November 2023 the High Court overturned Australia’s longstanding practice of mandatory and indefinite detention. The detention may end but the wounds of detention are lifelong. The trauma and more importantly the years wasted in detention cannot be returned.

Our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will shortly head to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit in the Cook Islands (6-10 November) but will he support the Pacific-led Port Vila Call, a statement that seeks the urgent phase out of fossil fuels and the transition to a fossil fuel-free future across the Pacific? We sincerely hope so.

The Edmund Rice Centre is committed to remove barriers for our communities and deliver accessible programs. On 31 Oct 2023, we commenced a highly successful program for our Tamil Community in Toongabbie NSW. The program was conducted with Tamil interpretation in order to make it linguistically accessible for those who have language barrier. 21 people benefited from the session. The following topics were covered about Australia's Legal System in this session: 

1. The separation of powers between the three arms of government
2. Referendum as the mechanism to amend the constitution
3. Constitutional law versus statutory law
4. Federal law versus State and Territory law
5. The hierarchy of courts in Australia

Since First Nations leaders called for a post-Referendum week of silence on 15 October, we, along with many like-minded organisations and individuals around Australia, have heeded this call and felt the pain and disappointment of our Indigenous brothers and sisters who fought so hard for a Yes outcome. As we emerge from this week of reflection and lamentation we have a responsibility to stand in solidarity with, and support, them.

The Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education and DLA Piper are organizing a Legal Empowerment Course for refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants. The purpose of the course is to empower multicultural communities in NSW by increasing their core legal knowledge and associated skills.

Learn about:

Australia's Legal and Government System

Employment and Your Rights

Police and Your Rights

Domestic Violence and AVO

The sessions will be delivered in English with Tamil interpretation.

Complete the course and get a certificate.

Dinner will be served.