Refugee
Action
Collective

Victoria

RAC is dedicated to achieving justice for refugees though political activism. Let them land, let them stay.

Category: News

  • Do our protests have an impact?

    Do our protests have an impact?

    In November 2023, RAC (Vic) held an action outside the State Library to protest the long-standing ban on refugees from Indonesia.

    In 2014 the Australian government implemented a ban on the resettlement of refugees from Indonesia.

    This meant that people who had signed up with the UNHCR in Indonesia for resettlement in Australia and who had been found to be refugees by that organisation were forbidden to do so. The Albanese government maintains the ban today.

    Indonesia is a major regional gateway for people to come to Australia from countries such as Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran and Sudan.

    As Indonesia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention this ban has left 14,000 men, women and children in limbo. They are living in poverty with no work rights and no future.

    Most Australians would have no idea about this ban and so the situation goes largely unchallenged and unscrutinised.

    RAC (Vic) is determined to highlight this appalling situation and stand in solidarity with those currently in limbo in Indonesia.

    Although the protest drew a relatively small crowd it had a big impact on those most affected by the ban. We received dozens of messages during and after the livestream from refugees in limbo in Indonesia who were glad to see people standing in solidarity with them.

    Here are just a few quotes from refugees who either participated in the action via phone or who watched the livestream. The quotes show that our actions matter.

    They also show that those affected by Australia’s policies are people – not numbers or cases but people. These people have hopes and dreams and Australia’s brutal policies stand in the way.

    We must continue to shine a light on this injustice and build the protest against it. “From little things, big things grow.”

    We will be planning more actions in 2024. Please join us.

    To the Australian people who demonstrated for us yesterday, I am writing to you today to express my sincere gratitude for your support … You have shown us that we are not forgotten and that there are people who care about our plight … it gave us hope that one day we will be able to rebuild our lives in a safe and welcoming country. We will never forget it. (Alireza)

    Thank you for the rally and support. It came at a crucial time. People were losing hope. I hope to see more of this support. Your support is touching hearts and saving lives. (Hussain)

    Thank you for standing in solidarity with the forgotten refugees in Indonesia. (Noor)

    Sending love from Indonesia to you dear Australian kind heart people. Thanks for raise up our poor voice. We are here in Indonesia living about 11 years without any basic human rights. (Mahdi)

    We all appreciate your kindness and caring about refugees in Indonesia. Thank you so much. (Assadullah)

    By Barbara Forehan

  • Refugee activists win fines case: now give refugees permanent visas

    Police have dropped charges against eight Refugee Action Collective Vic (RAC) activists who were fined for taking part in a car cavalcade on Good Friday 2020.

    Refugee supporters had formed a COVID-safe motorcade to show support for Medevac refugees held inside the Mantra Hotel in the northern Melbourne suburb of Preston.

    RAC spokesperson Lucy Honan said, “These fines should never have been imposed in the first place. They were part of a draconian and authoritarian reaction to the pandemic that saw the quashing of protest and dissent.

    “Refugee supporters argued consistently that the health and wellbeing of refugees in detention could not be ignored until the pandemic was over.

    “Our protests, including the cavalcade, were always COVID-safe. And our campaign was justified, with the Morrison government eventually freeing all refugees from hotel detention.

    “Our only ‘crime’ was to show solidarity with the refugees. It’s a disgrace that the fines were imposed and that it’s taken three and a half years for the police to drop the charges. But today we stand vindicated.”

    Honan said the police had charged about 30 people with not having a reasonable excuse to be outside the hotel even though the refugees were saying they were in urgent need of community support. Some activists had paid their fines while others were put on diversion orders with no fines after guilty pleas.

    She added, “There is a growing trend by governments across Australia to attack the right to protest and to stand up for solidarity and human rights.

    “Our victory today shows that protest is legitimate and necessary. The shocking moves by the Albanese government to undermine the High Court’s ruling to abolish indefinite detention is just the latest indication that Labor wants to keep every facet of the Liberals’ inhuman anti-refugee policies in place.

    “RAC will continue to be on the streets arguing for permanent visas for the Medevac refugees and for all victims of Australia’s cruel border control policies.”

    For background on the case, visit https://rac-vic.oncal.link/defend-the-right-to-protest-free-the-refugees/

    Organisations that backed the campaign to drop the charges included:

    • Maritime Union of Australia
    • United Workers Union
    • Australian Education Union Victoria Branch
    • Health and Community Services Union
    • CFMEU Construction & General Division VIC/TAS Branch
    • NTEU Victorian Division
    • ETU Queensland and NT Branch
    • Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council
    • RMIT University NTEU branch committee
    • Federation University NTEU branch committee
    • The Victorian Greens
    • Tamil Refugee Council

  • Trades Hall backs campaign for refugees trapped in Indonesia

    RAC activist Margaret Sinclair reported on the situation for refugees in Indonesia to the executive of the Victorian Trades Hall Council on 23 June.

    The executive carried the following motion unanimously.

    Victorian Trades Hall and its affiliates note that 14,000 refugees are trapped in Indonesia, most for eight years and many for ten years or more.

    Australian governments have contributed to this inhumane situation. In November 2014, Scott Morrison, then Minister for Immigration, announced that Australia would not accept any refugees who applied through the UNHCR for resettlement after 1 July 2014.

    Refugees in Indonesia are not allowed to work, study, get a driver’s licence or get married.

    Before the 2022 federal election, Labor said it would give “appropriate consideration” to resettlement of those recognised as refugees in Indonesia by the UNHCR.

    Its policy also stated: “Subject to Australian vetting processes and sovereignty concerns Labor will positively consider such refugees for inclusion within the increased humanitarian intake.”

    One year on from the election, Victorian Trades Hall therefore calls on the Labor federal government to lift the ban on refugees arriving in Australia from Indonesia through the UNHCR program and expedite their transfer.

    Victorian Trades Hall encourages all affiliates to invite speakers from refugees who have been in Indonesia, and from the Refugee Action Collective.

  • Three years on, still fighting for the right to support refugees

    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.

  • Art auction a big success

    Art auction a big success

    RAC’s Art Meets Activism art auction on Saturday 12 November was a huge success, with more than 100 attending and 90 per cent of artworks sold.

    The in-person auction and online, silent auction raised more than $40,000 between them.

    Refugees whose works sold received 100 per cent of the bid price. The remaining income, after expenses, will be split between the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) and RAC.

    RAC would like to thank the artists whose generous donations of their work made the event possible, sponsors, the auctioneer and those who attended.

    BASP uses donations to help feed, house and clothe refugees and asylum-seekers. RAC will use its share of the proceeds to step up the campaign for refugee freedom.

  • ART meets ACTIVISM

    ART meets ACTIVISM

    Come to our art auction fundraiser in support of refugees on Saturday 12 November.

    The event will be held at the Meat Market in North Melbourne at 2pm, with doors open at midday for viewing.

    Leading artists have donated works to highlight the need to treat refugees and asylum-seekers with dignity and compassion.

    Three of those artists have refugee experience and will receive 100 per cent of the sale price for their artwork. All other funds raised will be shared between the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) and RAC.

    View the artworks online at ART meets ACTIVISM.

    Check out the Facebook event.

    Image is Happy Girl by Deborah Halpern.

  • Car convoy fines update

    Car convoy fines update

    RAC supporters are continuing to contest the fines imposed on Good Friday 2020 for taking part in a COVID-safe car convoy around the Mantra Hotel in Preston, where Medevac refugees were being held.

    Thirty refugee supporters were fined $1652 each, taking the total bill for standing up for refugee rights to about $50,000.

    RAC activist Chris Breen was arrested at home the same day and charged with incitement for allegedly posting a Facebook event promoting the car convoy. He won his case in court in March this year.

    The legal process of challenging the fines has been long and drawn out, partly because there is a case in the Supreme Court of Victoria which may well affect the magistrate’s decision in the RAC case.

    On 6 September, the RAC case was adjourned once again.

    There will be a special conference on 21 December, where legal matters arising in the light of the Supreme Court case will be discussed. This will be followed by a contest mention on 7 March 2023.

    RAC will continue to campaign for the right to protest for refugees.

    Find out more about the campaign and show your support.

  • Ending Indefinite and Arbitrary Immigration Detention Bill 2021

    Refugee Action Collective (RAC) Victoria has made a submission to the parliamentary committee dealing with the Ending Indefinite and Arbitrary Immigration Detention Bill (2021).

    The Bill was introduced by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie in 2021.

    RAC (Vic) has strongly advocated for the dismantling of indefinite and arbitrary detention on the basis that it is punitive and in clear breach of human rights.

    RAC (Vic) believes the Bill provides a framework for rectifying many of the abhorrent and cruel components of Australia’s current detention policies.

    However, the Bill in its current form still allows for immigration detention, which we oppose. Therefore, we cannot support the Bill in full until amendments are made to delete the potential for any length of immigration detention.

    Read our submission in full here.

  • Car convoy case adjourned until 6 September

    UPDATED ON 1 MARCH. A magistrate today adjourned the case until 6 September while the Court of Appeal hears a case that has a bearing on the RAC supporters’ fines.

    ***

    Almost 30 RAC Vic supporters are appealing fines imposed for taking part in a COVID-safe car convoy to the Mantra Hotel prison in April 2020. On Monday, 4 October, a magistrate adjourned the case for a two-hour hearing on 1 March.

    The RAC supporters were issued with fines of $1652 each for sitting safely in their cars while trying to drive round the Mantra in Preston to show support for the Medevac refugees then locked up there.

    The fines totalled about $50,000 and were issued at a time when people could visit shops like Bunnings without face masks.

    Chris Breen was arrested at home the same day and charged with incitement for allegedly posting a Facebook event promoting the car convoy. He won his case in court in March this year.

    RAC supporters were showing care and compassion for the refugees who were locked in the hotel and at risk of contracting COVID from security guards.

    RAC argued then, and continues to argue, that the real health risk was not a car convoy but unlimited detention of men who had been accepted as refugees but left to rot by the Australian government.

    Find out more about the campaign and show your support.