“All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.” – James Thurber
The Latest
Australia in breach of Convention Against Torture
The Human Rights Council, which we have struggled so hard to join, has just received the latest Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Page 9 of the report carries special criticism of Australia, by... read moreTrolls
Not surprisingly, I get a lot of trolls sniping at me on Twitter. I posted a suggestion recently that we should identify the trolls, without wanting to give them any publicity. People have been writing to me with suggested trolls. The list follows. I will update it... read morePeter Dutton
In mid-March 2018 I retweeted a tweet which included a photo-shopped image of Peter Dutton as a Nazi. The Jewish Anti-Defamation Commission criticised me for it. Andrew Bolt published a piece on his blog which was very critical of me. He did not bother to contact me... read moreSome random ideas to improve Australia
I don’t claim to have the answers to all our problems. And I recognise that Australia has a lot going for it: great climate; great natural resources; great people. Maybe our good fortune is the source of our complacency. We’re a bit like Middleton’s Rouseabout (see... read moreNews from Manus
A person who is held on Manus – at our expense, as taxpayers (thanks, Peter Dutton) – has written to me a couple of times setting out the hardship refugees on Manus are facing. Bear in mind, the misery we inflict costs us, the taxpayers, $570,000 per... read moreTrump’s Gettysburg Address
I am grateful to Barry Jones for drawing this to my attention: the Gettysburg address as Trump would have made it. First, the original: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the... read moreAustralia’s moral failure
I recently received a letter which was directed to all Federal MPs and was copied to a number of refugee organisations. The subject line is: Taxpayer funded time spent on other people’s lives It sets out very well how Australia is failing in its treatment of... read moreFlorida School Shooting
A student who witnessed the shooting called out lawmakers on TV, looking directly into the camera and saying: “We’re children. You guys are the adults. You need to take some action and play a role. Work together, come over your politics, and get something... read moreDevastating UNHCR report on Manus & Nauru
Rico Salcedo, the Regional Protection Officer, UNHCR Canberra, recently spent time on Manus and Nauru to assess conditions. Hisreport makes difficult reading. If you are an Australian, it is hard to avoid feeling ashamed: Geneva, 13 February 2018 Update on... read moreDishonest hypocrites
In 1974 the Parliament passed the Trade Practices Act which, by section 52, decreed that a corporation should not “engage in conduct which is misleading or deceptive…”. But parliamentarians are not subject to similar restrictions. We accept without questioning that... read moreSend Our political “Leaders” to The Hague
The International Criminal Court (ICC) sits at The Hague. We joined the ICC in 2002. Since then, our treatment of people seeking asylum has involved various crimes against humanity. So far, 5 communiques have been sent to the ICC, inviting it to investigate and... read moreThe Deal between Australia and PNG
It is worth looking at the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Papua New Guinea. It sets the frame-work for the humanitarian horrors which are unfolding there. Bear in mind: the MOU makes it clear that the purpose of the whole exercise is to... read moreTwo New Books About Asylum Policy
I have recently read two new books about Australia’s policy in relation to boat people. They are both excellent, they both contain a lot of facts which need to be understood, and they both deserve to be widely read. Claire Higgins’ recent book Asylum By... read moreKate Durham to open exhibition in Dandenong
On Thursday 16 November, Kate Durham will speak at the opening of the Home exhibition at the Walker St Gallery in Dandenong. It includes works by Zia Atahi, Renee Dixson, Mahla Karimian, Pierre Mukeba and Zakiria Tahirian Kate spoke at the opening of the Dandenong... read moreLetter from Refugees on Manus
The refugees on Manus have written a letter to some of the leaders of the free world (I have corrected a few spelling mistakes): To the Honourable: President Donald Trump, Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Justin Trudeau and also humanitarian people of those... 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
Videos
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