Next L4R meeting in June
Please attend our meeting to discuss where to now, after Labor’s win in the recent election. Labor can no longer hide behind the fear that it will be wedged by the Coalition if it dares to implement its own refugee policies, adopted at the ALP National Conference in 2023.
Issues that deal with refugees, must no longer be treated as the ‘elephant in the room’, just because refugees did not feature as a priority in the election campaign.
The Minutes of our previous meeting dated 28 May follow MinutesNSW-ACT28May25
Ride for Education – update in the lead up to Refugee Week
The Cisarua Learning Centre in Indonesia is fundraising for the Centre and for women in Afghanistan with Muzafar Ali and his team’s marathon bike ride.
The epic journey continues. They are currently heading down to Moruya for a screening of The Staging Post.
Yesterday (Tuesday), they had a beautiful event in Canberra and a hugely significant visit to the Embassy of Afghanistan.
The Embassy, as seen by the mulit-coloured flag, still represents the Republic of Afghanistan and not the Taliban Regime.
Muzafar spoke strongly for women’s education and freedom which is restricted by the Taliban.
There are plenty more events in Canberra and the south. They hope you can make it out to see them at one of their events in Victoria & South Australia.
Members of the team participating in this ride, are overwhelmed by the love and encouragement they have received and have asked you to consider joining the WhatsApp Group or Instagram to follow them. There’s been dancing, films, feasts, friends and plenty of riding!
NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE A DONATION. DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. HELP POWER THEM THROUGH TO ADELAIDE — SUPPORT THE RIDE HERE
Basic route information follows https://rideforeducation.com/route
High Court challenge launched for man facing deportation to Nauru
Everybody deserves to live with dignity and fairness, regardless of visa status.
But refugees and migrants are being singled out for harsher treatment by Australia’s cruel migration laws.
The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) has filed proceedings in the High Court on behalf of one man. Please read the following article published by the HRLC.
https://www.hrlc.org.au/updates/deportation-challenge/ 2 April 2025
Skills recognition of Refugees
An Australian Institute of Family Studies report tracking the long-term employment of refugees showed that almost half of all those previously working as managers and professionals are, 10 years later, still not working in those kinds of jobs in Australia. The study surveyed about 2,400 humanitarian migrants over a decade. The report recommended more coordinated recognition of skills and qualifications gained overseas, as well as inclusive recruitment practices and language support.
The persistent employment struggles of refugees’ (audio), SBS 11 June 2025
Almost half of refugees suffering from ‘occupational downgrade’ 10 years after settling ABC News 11 June 2025
You may recall that Labor for Refugees ran a campaign last year re this issue and wrote to Federal and State Ministers about the urgent need to fast track skilled refugees. The motion we asked our members to take to their branches to support, was circulated including the background information.
The link to the motion followsL4RNSW-ACTSkillsRecognitionRefugeesOct 24
It’s not too late to endorse this motion at your next branch meeting. It can then be submitted to the next NSW ALP Conference as an agenda item. Also to the next ACT Conference.
Hopefully, this report may ignite some interest from our politicians, and prompt them to address this issue which would benefit these refugees/migrants as well as our wider community.
Nizza Siano
Secretary L4R NSW
email: contact@labor4refugees.com