Latest News

2012-13 Submission on the Refugee and Humanitarian Program RCOA's annual submission on Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program is now available for download here.

2012-14 Refugee Week theme: 'Restoring Hope' RCOA has chosen 'Restoring Hope' as the Refugee Week theme for 2012 to 2014. For further details, visit the Refugee Week website.

Plight of refugees with adverse ASIO findings raised with Canberra RCOA has written to Attorney-General Nicola Roxon on the predicament of recognised refugees who remain in immigration detention because of adverse ASIO findings. Read the letter here.

Nauru is not an option RCOA acted strongly to reject any return to offshore processing in Nauru following revelations the Federal Government was willing to negotiate with the Opposition on asylum seeker policy. Read our media release.

Refugee and asylum seeker policy on a positive pathway RCOA has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government that it had begun to wind back its policy of indefinite mandatory detention for asylum seekers who enter Australia by boat. Read our media release.

 

 

Official Refugee Week launches

Sydney launch - 18 June

The Sydney Refugee Week launch will be held on Saturday 18 June from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Pitt Street Uniting Church (264 Pitt Street, Sydney). It will feature the Dario Palermo Refugee Art Exhibition, presentation of 2011 Refugee Humanitarian Awards, a screening of the Australian Refugee Film Festival, speakers and entertainment. All members and supporters of RCOA are invited to attend.

An invitation to the launch can be downloaded here.

Melbourne launch - 20 June

Melbourne will kick off Refugee Week 2010 with a media event at the Melbourne Multicultural Hub (506 Elizabeth Street, opposite the Queen Victoria Market) from 10.30am to 11.30am (with morning tea provided). Speakers with include the AFL North Melbourne player Majak Daw, former refugee Najeeba Wazefadost and Refugee Council President John Gibson. RSVP to melbourne@refugeecouncil.org.au or call (03) 9600 3302.

An invitation to the launch can be downloaded here.

Adelaide launch - 20 June

In Adelaide, Refugee Week will be officially launched by Senator Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, on Monday 20 June from 10:00am at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, University of South Australia City West Campus, Hawke Building Level 3, 50-60 North Terrace, Adelaide. The event will feature the launch of ‘Hand in Hand’, a student poster exhibition expressing the welcoming of refugees by young people, by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Jay Weatherill. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Grace Portolesi will also deliver a message of support for local efforts to highlight Refugee Week on behalf of the State Government. For further details, contact Matti Spellacy on (08) 8217 9510 or admin@mrcsa.com.au