“All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.” – James Thurber
The Latest
Is it detention or jail?
I received an email today from a person who is held in immigration detention. The email read, in part: We are told over and over again, from the moment we arrive that this is not a jail or prison and the Serco personnel are not guards. At 7:45 this morning I was... read moreForm 866 and Australian values
Here is Form 866, which must be completed by all asylum seekers: form_866c Have a look at the Australian Values Statement, which is part of each Form 866: 99 AUSTRALIAN VALUES STATEMENT You must sign this statement if you are aged 18 years or over. I confirm that I... read moreQuadrant, Franklin and other nastiness
It is alarming to see the views some Australians have. On 23 May, Roger Franklin published an article in the online edition of Quadrant, in which he said it would have been better if the bomb which killed so many in Manchester had instead been detonated in the ABC... read moreDutton’s latest bit of nastiness
At 9.38am on Sunday 21 May 2017, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton revealed his worst attack on refugees. He said asylum seekers living in the Australian community had until 1 October to file applications for protection, failing which they would be or they will be... read morePNG Navy shoots refugees on Manus
Here is a very powerful message I received by email from an Australian citizen: … This is beyond the pale. My husband, [xxx], used to bleakly joke about how Australia’s Immigration Department really just should shoot all the boat people and get it over... read moreThe effects of Trump’s travel ban
The piece below was written by Mem Fox, the much-loved Australian children’s author. It details the shocking treatment she received when she tried to enter USA recently. It is important to remember that, if you give people great power, they will use it. And... read moreWilson Parking: hopeless
What sort of operation is Wilson Parking running? How hard can it be to run a car park? Apparently it is much to hard for the geniuses who run Wilson Parking. For almost a decade I have had a permanent car park at a site run by Wilson Parking. In February 2017,... read moreClimate Change
Climate change denial is on the rise, encouraged no doubt by the example of that great intellectual President Donald Trump. That other intellectual giant Andrew Bolt had a crack at me recently for what I thought was the modest suggestion that we need to listen to... read moreGeorge Brandis QC A-G
Q&A on Monday 20 February 2017 included Attorney-General George Brandis QC. Brandis showed rather unhappy aspects of himself, as he sought to justify enormous and extravagant expense allowances for Federal parliamentarians while justifying the meanness of NDIS... read moreThe Apology, 9 years on
On 13 February 2008, Kevin Rudd apologised to the stolen generations. It was not great rhetoric, but it was a fine moment, because (for once) we heard a Federal Politician who sounded sincere. 9 years later, here is a message from Liberty Victoria: Yesterday marked... read moreWhat’s wrong with politics today
It is blindingly obvious that something is seriously wrong with politics at present. In the West, at least. Barry Jones wrote a great piece on that theme for The Saturday Paper. The article included the following observations: “Lincoln’s views, published on... read moreWhat has happened to this country?
A concerned member of the public recently sent me a letter which, in my opinion, captures a large part of the problem Australia is still wrestling with: the problem of how we respond to people who are not the same as us. Her letter includes this: “Despite the... read moreLorengau hospital: your taxes at work (?!)
The Australian government donated a new hospital to PNG at Lorengau on Manus, so the men held on Manus would receive “world-class treatment”. It was funded by AusAid. See this photo claiming credit – but make sure to scroll down and see the photos... read moreThe dodgy US refugee deal
When the agreement with the US was announced, the details were so meagre that it was hard to place much reliance on it. Then Donald Trump was elected President of the USA and the deal looked even more speculative. But now the realities of it are becoming apparent: it... read moreClimate change
I gave a speech for 350.org.au just recently. Here is the substance of what I said. And before you read it (because it’s a bit depressing) cheer yourself up with First Dog on The Moon’s recent excoriation of our “Leader” Malcolm Turnbull on... read moreHuman Rights & Social Justice
- The National Pro Bono Resource Centre is an independent organisation that supports and promotes pro bono legal services in Australia.
- JusticeConnect: working to provide effective means for people and organisations in need to access justice
The Arts
Jewellery
- Kate Durham’s jewellery: a small sample
- Kate Durham exhibition of jewellery at fortyfive downstairs: Show ran from 17 Sept to 11 Oct
- A VIDEO showing some of Kate’s work and a few photos: here and here
Art, music and theatre
- what’s on at fortyfive downstairs (45 Flinders Lane Melbourne)
- Wolfgang Sievers photographs for sale
- Fine chamber music: Musica Viva Australia
- Look at this remarkable example of art in cut paper: truly amazing
Asylum Seekers
- Australian Human Rights Commission: Facts about asylum seekers and refugees
- Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre at UNSW: debunking myths about refugees
- New website: Compassion Without Borders
- And find various refugee support groups across Australia here
- Doctors for Refugees
Julian on Twitter
Videos
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