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.

Post-compulsory education and training pathways for refugee young people

This report brings together evidence of good practice in the provision of education and training that meet the needs of refugee young people.

Read more about: Finding the Right Time and Place

Refugee Week events calendar: Tasmania

CALD Cultural Arts & Craft Program 2011: 'traditional cultural aspects'
From Friday 17 June to Thursday 30 June
'traditional cultural aspects' is the fourth annual exhibition devoted to the art and craft of people from a refugee background developed through a partnership between the Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc. and Glenorchy City Council.The exhibition will present traditional objects and practices produced by people from a refugee and migrant background living in Tasmania.
Details: opening night 6:00pm on Friday 17; exhibition open Tuesday to Friday 11:00am-5:00pm, Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm; Moonah Arts Centre, 65 Hopkins Street, Moonah; for further information please contact Suzanne Feike at the Migrant Resource Centre on (03) 6221 0999.

Refugee Week 2011
Monday 20 June to Friday 24 June, Launceston
8 Boland Street, Launceston;
Details: Hosted by Centrelink Launceston, this event will feature a Refugee Week display in the public area the Centrelink office and Refugee Week emails being sent to staff across the three Customer Services centres in Northern Tasmania. for further details contact Janine Wilson, Multicultural Services Officer, on (03) 6336 9121 or MSO.LAUNCESTON@centrelink.gov.au

Refugee Week Forum
Thursday 23 June, Hobart
Behind the rhetoric on refugees and asylum seekers are real people, each with a unique and often tragic story to tell. Join us in celebrating Tasmania's diverse refugee population. Listen as three Tasmanian former refugees talk about their experiences and reflect on the divisive language used when talking about refugees and asylum seekers. Hosted by Hobart City Council.
Details: 5:00pm-6:30pm; Hobart Town Hall; for further details contact Maria Pinferi on (03) 6238 2151 or pinferim@hobartcity.com.au