Those attending last week’s TFR meeting discussed the possibility of broadening the focus of Tasmanians for Refugees to include refugees arriving in Tasmania under the humanitarian program.
The primary focus of Tasmanians for Refugees would remain on assisting and advocating for asylum seekers held in Immigration Detention Centres and refugees released from these centres on Temporary Protection and Bridging visas.
Our work transcribing Refugee Review Tribunal tapes for the Refugee Advocacy Service of South Australia, writing letters to detainees, assisting speakers on refugee issues to come to Tasmania and lobbying politicians about the terrible policies of detaining people seeking safety in Australia will all continue.
However, several members at the meeting felt that broadening our focus would allow TFR to become more involved with refugee communities locally and there was particular interest in setting up a TFR Community Support for Refugees (CSR) volunteer group which would allow interested members to undertake training and provide friendship, support and practical assistance to families arriving in Tasmania.
Any feedback on this idea would be very welcome and we will make a decision about it at the next meeting. However, in the interim any members interested in finding out more about this and/or undertaking CSR training (with a view to becoming involved in a secular CSR group which may or may not end up being affiliated with TFR) should contact Kelly Madden on 62 31 9594 before by Friday April 29.
Assisting a Temporary Protection Visa holder in Hobart
We currently have one TPV holder living in Hobart following a long correspondence with a TFR member. He has family still living in Iran and the cost of telephone calls is a major expense for him. If anyone is able to make a donation towards purchase a phone cards it would be very much appreciated. Any donations can be dropped off at Anglicare (let reception staff know it is for Tas for Refugees).
Tony Kevin
Tony gave an interesting talk to about his book “A Certain Maritime Incident: The Sinking of the SIEV X” quite a large group at Fullers Bookshop when he visited last month. Tony also visited the Cornelian Bay memorial to those who lost their lives in the tragedy while he was here.
Good news from a letter writer
Letter writing coordinator Ida McCann has recently received good news that one of her friends who has been held in detention at Baxter for several years has just been released. Ida’s friend said there seems to be quite a bit of movement in the centre at the moment with several Iranians, Iraqis and Afghans being released after many years in detention.
The next meeting of Tasmanians for Refugees will be held in the Green Room, The Republic Bar and Café, Elizabeth St on Sunday June 19 from 1.30pm to 3pm.
