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.

'When you leave your house you worry, will I come back?'

Santino Mou Ngong Dut fled Sudan in 1994, carrying only a few clothes and leaving behind his parents, brothers and sisters.

Read more about: Santino's story

Refugee Week events calendar: Australia-wide

One Million Flights
Saturday 18 June
To mark World Refugee Day, ABC Radio National's Poetica program presents an interview and poetry reading with Roshanak Amrein, from Iran. She is a follower of the Baha'i faith, whose members suffer persecution and discrimination in today's Iran. Roshanak sought refuge in Australia in 1994 and now lives and works as a dentist in Adelaide. In this program, Roshanak speaks to Mike Ladd about her life in Iran and why she was forced to flee that country. She also reads selected poems from her book One Million Flights.
Details: 3:05pm; ABC Radio National for further details visit www.abc.net.au/rn/poetica/stories/2011/3207765.htm

Welcome to Australia
Sunday 19 June to Sunday 26 June
Hold a party in your home, street, workplace or sporting club and give refugees and other new arrivals a warm, positive welcome.
Details: for further details contact Brad Chilcott on 0410 548 637 or email brad@anotherwaytolove.com

UNHCR's "Do 1 Thing" campaign
Monday 20 June (World Refugee Day)
The global theme for World Refugee Day in 2011 is "1 refugee without hope is too many". UNHCR is encouraging members of the public to "Do 1 Thing" to show their solidarity for refugees and displaced people around the world. This could be help spread the word about UNHCR and refugees, to volunteer time and expertise, to get involved in a community group, or to donate to UNHCR's work.
Details: for further details, click here.

New documentary from SBS: 'Go Back To Where You Came From'
Sunday 19 June to Tuesday 21 June
This documentary follows six ordinary Australians as they retrace the dangerous journeys of refugees to Australia.
Details: 8:30pm nightly on SBS; view the trailer here.

International Christian Peace Movement
Sunday 21 August , Victoria
WHAT FUTURE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS?
Details: 12:30pm-03:30pm Kildara, rear 39 Stanhope Street, East Malvern :vsanyu@ncca.org.au