On Tuesday 7 March the RAC activists who had been fined in 2020 for our car cavalcade outside the Mantra Hotel, to show support for Medevac refugees detained there, went to Heidelberg Court for a contest mention. We held a brief protest out the front.

The magistrate listened to our lawyer summarise our case: that we were exercising “care and compassion”, one of the permitted reasons for leaving the house, and that we were volunteering as RAC volunteers, again another permitted reason for leaving the house. 

The magistrate asked a few questions, and then asked the police why it was in the public interest to pursue us.

He told the prosecutor to go away and make phone calls to ensure that she really did have instructions to pursue the case. 

We came back after lunch to hear that yes, she really did have those instructions. She confirmed that our case was with “senior legal” because of its high profile. 

The magistrate set yet another mention for 5 May, one last chance for the police to drop it. 

Then the magistrate dealt with two of our party who wanted a sentence indication. He essentially gave them a “proven” with no sentence. So they don’t have to pay their fines, and they don’t have a “guilty” conviction recorded either. Another slap to the prosecutors. 

RAC activists don’t have to attend on 5 May, so there won’t be a protest. But once we have a date for the real hearing then we’ll welcome as many people as possible to stand up for the right to show solidarity with refugees.

Read more about the case.

Join these events, demanding freedom for refugees and permanent protection.

Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees

Sunday 2 April at 1pm, State Library

Check the Facebook event.

Tell Clare O’Neil – permanent visas for all!

Monday 3 April at 6pm, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Check the Facebook event.

Weekly organising meetings

Every Monday at 6.30pm, Kathleen Syme library, Carlton

Also on Zoom: check the Facebook event.

13 February 2023

The announcement that the more than 19,000 refugees on temporary and safe haven visas (TPVs and SHEVs) will finally be able to get permanent residency is welcome but long overdue.

After 10 years or more in limbo, refugees will now be able to plan their lives, get permanent jobs, attend university, travel overseas and sponsor family members to join them.

But the decision could and should have been much quicker – Labor gave the Biloela family permanent protection in a matter of weeks.

Now, nine months after winning the election, Labor is asking refugees to apply for a Resolution of Status (RoS) visa, a process that will see some refugees waiting for an outcome until this time next year.

But this is far from the end of the campaign for refugee rights.

Labor has not abolished TPVs and SHEVs – furthermore, it has just renewed the status of Nauru as an offshore processing island and is paying a company more than $400 million to maintain an empty detention centre for possible use.

While Immigration Minister Andrew Giles announced the good news, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil played hard cop to his soft cop, threatening anyone who attempts to arrive by boat.

Labor continues to support Operation Sovereign Borders, which includes boat turnbacks and offshore detention, with no path to residency.

A the same time, Labor is offering nothing to those rejected as refugees under the flawed fast track process, and it has nothing to say to refugees and asylum-seekers who were deported to Nauru or Papua New Guinea and who are still stuck there.

Labor is also silent on the fate of refuges who were sent offshore and who have since been brought to Australia for medical treatment. Medevac refugees like Farhad Bandesh and Mostafa Azimitabar, who have built new lives in Australia, still have no path to permanent protection.

And we must not forget the 14,000 refugees trapped in Indonesia, who were barred from Australia by Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison.

RAC welcomes the 19,000 refugees who are celebrating today’s announcement as sisters and brothers in our communities.

But we will continue to campaign for an end to Operation Sovereign Borders, for the lifting of the ban on refugees in Indonesia, and for permanent visas for everyone who is caught up in the hell of Australia’s refugee policy.

We call on all refugee supporters to join the Palm Sunday rally at 1pm at the State Library on 2 April, to send a clear message – permanent visas for all. None of us are free until we are all free.

RAC Vic has made a submission to the Department of Home Affairs review of Australia’s migration system.

RAC’s recommendations include:

• all refugees and asylum-seekers remaining in PNG or Nauru be brought here ASAP
• all amendments to the Migration Act that inserted or further “strengthened” sections 501 and 116 (and closely related provisions) be repealed
• the Migration Act’s Refugee Convention-based definition of “refugee” be extended to cover people forced to leave their country due to the effects of climate change
• all refugees and asylum-seekers who arrive in Australia receive the humanitarian program’s level of support and benefits
• permanent visas be granted ASAP to the following non-citizens: refugees and asylum-seekers denied justice by the unfair “Fast Track” system; all those who were or are detained in Australia, Nauru or PNG; and those on TPVs, SHEVs, and Bridging Visas.

Read the RAC submission in full.