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Royal Commission into the child protection and youth detention systems of the Northern Territory
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of the Royal Commission into the child protection and youth detention systems of the Northern Territory, following the ABC’s Four Corners investigation into the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre and its treatment of vulnerable young people. “We have long advocated for better treatment for young people in…
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Australia’s leaders must develop more humane responses to people seeking protection
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has today issued an open letter to Australia’s political leaders urging them to develop more humane responses towards people seeking protection in Australia. The letter, sent to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Richard…
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People seeking asylum on Manus Island must be processed in Australia
In response to the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court’s ruling that Australia’s detention of people seeking asylum on Manus Island is illegal, Jesuit Social Services has called on the Federal Government to commit to processing the applications of approximately 850 people currently on Manus Island here in Australia. “Yesterday’s decision by Papua New Guinea’s Supreme…
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CatholicCare, Jesuit Social Services and MacKillop Family Services have offered to lead a coordinated response to house and care for the 267 asylum seekers at risk of being returned to Nauru, following Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart’s call for action from the Catholic community. “CatholicCare, MacKillop Family Services and Jesuit Social Services have previously collaborated…
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High Court decision a violation of human rights
Jesuit Social Services has strongly condemned the High Court’s ruling that more than 200 people seeking asylum, including a number of babies born in Australia, can be sent from the mainland to Nauru. “Australia’s punitive and inhumane policies surrounding people seeking asylum have long been condemned internationally, including at the UN Human Rights Council,” says…
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Launch of Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA)
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has been officially launched at the start of World Refugee Week, which runs from June 14 to 20. Backed by leading Catholic peak organisations and convened by Jesuit Social Services, CAPSA aims to change hearts and minds across Australia in support of the abolition of harsh asylum…
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Federal Budget provides welcome support for some, leaves others behind
The 2021-22 Federal Budget makes some vital investments in mental health and the prevention of family violence, but leaves many vulnerable Australians behind, particularly at a time when the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt, says Jesuit Social Services. “This Federal Budget is a mixed bag that provides increased funding in key…