Media release archive

Australian government to construct a "Guantanamo Bay" for asylum-seekers on Christmas Island

16 November 2006

A Just Australia expressed its outrage at the blueprints for the new immigration detention centre to be built on Christmas Island released today. Read more.

Adelaide book launch: Seeking Asylum Alone: Australia.

9 November 2006

Book launch: Seeking Asylum Alone: Australia. A study of Australian law, policy and practice regarding unaccompanied and separated children by Dr Mary Crock (Assoc. Prof of Law, The University of Sydney) Read more.

Australian asylum-seeker detention camps on Nauru must be closed once and for all

18 September 2006

"The decision to send eight Burmese asylum-seekers from Australia to Nauru to have their claims processed demonstrates why the 'Pacific Solution' is no solution for refugees", said Anna Samson, Acting National Coordinator of A Just Australia. Read more.

Parliamentarians stand up for compassion

14 August 2006

National refugee policy organisation A Just Australia welcomed today's announcement that the federal government has withdrawn its asylum-seeker offshore processing bill. Read more.

Refugee advocates commend MPs with conscience

10 August 2006

National refugee policy organisation, A Just Australia, today commended the three Coalition MPs who crossed the floor to oppose the federal government's asylum-seeker offshore processing legislation (the DUA bill). Read more.

Plans to warehouse asylum-seekers on boats inhumane

3 August 2006

"It is nothing short of outrageous that the government is looking to 18th century penal systems as providing a model policy for dealing with asylum-seekers in the 21st century," said Ms Anna Samson, A Just Australia's Acting National Coordinator. Read more.

Human rights groups form international coalition to monitor immigration detention practices in Australia and beyond

20 June 2006

As part of World Refugee Day commemorations, more than 100 non-government organisations in 36 countries have formed the International Detention Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and Migrants (IDC) to monitor immigration detention practices worldwide. Read more.

Howard Government breaks its own values

14 June 2006

A Just Australia, a national refugee policy group, today laid down a challenge to all Members of Parliament to explain how new refugee laws fit with the values campaign the Government is waging in our schools. Read more.

Petition calls on Howard to abandon refugee law changes

5 June 2006

The national refugee rights campaign organisation, A Just Australia, said today that more than 31,000 Australians had signed a petition calling on the Howard Government to abandon its proposed draconian changes to Australia's refugee laws. Read more.

Proposed asylum law changes a test of MPs' values

29 May 2006

Federal parliamentarians cannot support harsh changes to Australia's refugee and asylum seeker laws and still claim to support basic Australian values, A Just Australia said. Read more.

West Papuans being punished for seeking asylum

24 March 2006

A Just Australia welcomes the announcement that 42 of the 43 West Papuan asylum seekers have been granted protection by the Australian Government,
but are very disappointed that they have only been given temporary protection visas. Read more.

Rau and Solon cases were tip of the iceberg

23 March 2006

A Just Australia, a national refugee policy group, has noted with some concern the release today of the Ombudsman's report into the unlawful detention of another Australian citizen. Read more.

Costello treats values as optional

24 February 2006

Treasurer Costello's attack on Australia's Muslim community was a clear breach of the values he professes to uphold, A Just Australia said today. Read more.

West Papuans should be released

19 January 2006

The arrival of 43 West Papuans seeking asylum in Australia is a test for the Australian Government to live up to the claims of a cultural change for the Department of Immigration, A Just Australia, the national refugee policy reform group, said today. Read more.

Need for a genuine investigation detention

15 January 2006

A Just Australia, the national campaign group for refugee policy reform, today called on the Government to institute a genuine investigation of immigration detention matters. Read more.

Welcome news, but no permanent solution

14 October 2005

A Just Australia, the national campaign group for Australians for Just Refugee Programs, welcomes the announcement by Immigration Minister, Senator Vanstone, that asylum seekers living on Nauru will be brought to Australia. Read more.

Further excisions point to lack of genuine refugee policy reform.

29 July 2005

The Australian Government has excised more Islands from Australia's migration zone earlier this week. The Government has been tinkering on the edges of refugee policy instead of real reform. Now we see they are tinkering with the edges of Australia itself. Read more.

Court rules Temporary Protection is no solution

29 July 2005

A Just Australia welcomes the Federal Court ruling that refugees granted only temporary protection visas cannot be deported at the end of their visas unless it could be proven that their country of origin was safe. Read more.

Families released from immigration detention centres

29 July 2005

A Just Australia says children never should and never did belong in detention and welcomes today's release of all children and families, in line with the recent Government commitment that children shall only be detained as a measure of last resort. Read more.

Sir Ronald Wilson - A Just Australian

26 July 2005

One of our inaugural patrons , Sir Ronald Wilson, died in Perth in mid July. His contributions for refugees, indigenous Australians and people with disabilities inspired all of us who have dreamed of a fair and just Australia. Read more.

Time to end failed detention system

14 July 2005

The national campaign group, A Just Australia, today called on the Government to implement the recommendations of the Palmer Inquiry. Read more.

Refugee Policy Forum - Melbourne

15 June 2005

A Just Australia, the national campaign of Australians for Just Refugee Programs , is pleased to announce a public forum on refugee policy to be held at Melbourne University, Friday 17th June 2005 at 7.00 pm. Read more.

Government must release report on asylum seekers

3 June 2005

A Just Australia today called for the release of the Penfold Inquiry Report of alleged misuse of the judicial system by asylum seekers. Read more.

East Timorese Asylum Seekers Rejected

29 April 2005

50 East Timorese asylum seekers were rejected for visas to remain in Australia. Read more.

New National Coordinator

15 April 2005

Kate Gauthier has been appointed as National Coordinator of A Just Australia, replacing Howard Glenn. Read more.

Removal Pending Bridging Visa

23 March 2005

Relief for some, but not for all.
Only a handful of asylum seekers will be eligible for the new bridging visa, but they must give up all legal rights to be eligible. Read more.

There is no place like home - by Myles Formby

26 October 2004

Myles Formby reports on the launch of the CD Homeland - Music for A Just Australia at the Sydney Opera House. Read more.

Homeland - An Act of Clemency

14 October 2004

We are here today at the Opera House, an icon that helps define Australia to the world.
As once did the Australian sense of the fair go, and our innate spirit of generosity. Read more.

Kids in Detention: High Court says it's up to us

7 October 2004

A unanimous decision by the High Court that detention of children was lawful does not mean that it is just or fair, said Mr Howard Glenn, National Director of human rights advocacy group, A Just Australia. Read more.

304 Candidates pledge a Just Refugee Program

5 October 2004

In the clearest sign yet of how far Australia has moved from the dark days of the 2001 Federal Election, A Just Australia today released the results of its survey of candidates for this weekend's federal election. Read more.

Major Australian Bands unite for A Just Australia

22 September 2004

Some of Australia's leading musical artists have joined together to create a unique new album: Homeland: Music For A Just Australia. Read more.

The "Electorate of Tampa" up for grabs

16 September 2004

Tight contests in the Federal Election may be swayed by candidates' positions on refugee policy, according to Howard Glenn, National Director of A Just Australia. Read more.

"Refugee Guarantee" to be launched this Sunday by thousands of Australians at the Big Aussie BBQ

10 September 2004

On Sunday September 12, thousands of Australian's will gather around the country to show their support for refugees and to continue the campaign to reform the Government's policies towards refugees and asylum seekers. Read more.

Tired old fear campaign not flying

3 September 2004

Attorney General Philip Ruddock's linking of the Russian atrocity, terrorism and asylum seeker boats has been quickly and properly challenged by the media, Mr Howard Glenn, National Director of A Just Australia commented today. Read more.

"Cats and dogs" MP chooses actions better than her words

31 August 2004

Trish Worth, the Liberal Member for Adelaide, has been a consistent and brave supporter of refugee rights and asylum seekers over many years, working within the Government to support key reforms, Mr Howard Glenn, National Director of A Just Australia, said today. Read more.

Let's not make refugees election fodder - again

29 August 2004

The announcement of the Federal Election today was welcomed by A Just Australia as an opportunity to show how many Australians have wised up since the Tampa election of 2001, said Mr Howard Glenn, National Director. Read more.

Full and Independent Inquiry into Kids Overboard Vital

16 August 2004

A full judicial inquiry into the so called "children overboard" affair must now be conducted after the next election, regardless of which party forms government, Mr Howard Glenn, the National Director of A Just Australia, said today. Read more.

A lot of angry voters want action not pretence

25 July 2004

Public meetings in the marginal electorates of Richmond and Page this weekend show that the mistreatment of refugees is a live issue for the Federal election in key parts of the country, Mr Howard Glenn, National Director of A Just Australia, said today. Read more.

A victory in campaign for justice for refugees

13 July 2004

The decision by Cabinet yesterday announcing major changes to the treatment of refugees on temporary protection visas is a substantial victory for all those who have campaigned for a return to permanent protection, National Director of A Just Australia, Howard Glenn, said today. Read more.

Big Brother's Merlin

14 June 2004

A Just Australia National Director, Howard Glenn, welcomed the latest high profile protester to express his opinion on Australia's treatment of refugees. Read more.

Offer to assist early release of Children from Detention/

13 May 2004

National human rights organisation A Just Australia today welcomed the report and key findings of the Human Rights Commission's Inquiry into the treatment of children in Australia's immigration detention centres. Read more.

Ruddock Must Resign or Stand Aside in Dealing

13 May 2004

A Just Australia today called on the Attorney-General Mr Ruddock to resign from the Cabinet in the wake of the report by the nation's human rights watchdog. Read more.

151 is the figure that matters in Budget Week

10 May 2004

When the Human Rights Commission announced an inquiry into whether children should be kept in immigration detention centres in November 2001, no-one thought: Read more.

A Just Australia speech to the United Nations

21 April 2004

Below is the full text of the speech given by A Just Australian National Director Howard Glenn to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva (April 2004). Read more.

The question on everyone's lips: what is wrong with Australia?

30 March 2004

Attending the United Nations Commission on Human Rights meeting being held in Geneva, National Director of A Just Australia, Howard Glenn, expressed his concern at how low Australia's reputation has fallen. Read more.

Australia in the Human Rights Chair

30 March 2004

Sitting uneasily with our continued denial of civil, political and protection rights for refugees and asylum seekers, and the rights of the child. Read more.

A sense of urgency needed - March kids in detention

4 March 2004

While the number of children in detention on mainland Australia is steadily decreasing, the number in Nauru is set to remain at disturbingly high levels, A Just Australia said with the publication of the latest of edition the Monthly Detention Report. Read more.

Nauru - detention centre of choice for children

4 February 2004

The Australian Government is persisting in keeping young children detained indefinitely in Nauru, while releasing 16 children with their families from detention centres in Australia, A Just Australia reveals today with the release of its latest monthly report on children in detention. Read more.

Advancing a Fairer and More Just Australia

26 January 2004

A Just Australia today launches 'It's Time for a Refugee Policy we can be Proud of, Again'. Read more.

Call for donations - our campaign to close the Nauru detention centre

9 January 2004

A Just Australia has been working through Christmas and New Year to support
the 191 adults and 93 children held on Nauru since 2001. Read more.

Hunger strike suspended as medical team heads for Nauru

8 January 2004

A Just Australia welcomes the announcement that the Nauruan hunger strikers will suspend their protest today from 5.00pm (Central Pacific Time) (2.00pm AEST) in response to the invitation to an Australian medical team from the Nauruan Government. Read more.

NZ Journalist sheds light on Nauru

4 January 2004

Reports this weekend from Kim Ruscoe, a journalist with the Dominion Post in New Zealand, have confirmed A Just Australia's fears about the situation for the 284 people remaining in detention on the island of Nauru. Read more.

Offer some hope to Nauru detainees, says O'Donoghue

31 December 2003

Patron of A Just Australia, Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE, today called on Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone to take action to end the hunger strike on Nauru. Read more.

Amanda Vanstone's hunger strike worsens - now it's our fault

30 December 2003

A Just Australia continues to support the 45 hunger strikers and the other 146 adults and 93 children on Nauru - not the hunger strike. Their demand for permanent solutions after over two years on the island is one which has great merit. Read more.

Letter from AJA to Minister Vanstone regarding Nauru

29 December 2003

This letter was sent to Minister for Immigration Amanda Vanstone in response to claims by the Minister that A Just Australia has been seeking to prolong the Hunger Strike on Nauru. Read more.

Latham must renew calls for the release of children on Nauru

27 December 2003

Federal Opposition leader Mark Latham must renew Labor's call to release children from immigration detention, now that the Christmas deadline has passed, A Just Australia said today. Read more.

Agreement to end hunger strike put to Amanda Vanstone

26 December 2003

Negotiations through Christmas have led to a proposal to end the hunger strike, if Amanda Vanstone will agree to a summit meeting on the fate of the 93 children and 191 adults detained on Nauru for more than two years. Read more.

Delegation fails to end Amanda Vanstone's hunger strike

23 December 2003

The delegation sent to Nauru by Minister Vanstone in an attempt to end the hunger strike has so far failed and the hunger strike is set to grow, A Just Australia reported today after receiving information from the detainees. Read more.

Amanda Vanstone's hunger strike enters second week

19 December 2003

As Minister Vanstone's hunger strike on Nauru enters its second week, increasingly desperate language is being used in attempt to shift responsibility. Read more.

Nauru Crisis

14 December 2003

To News Editors, Chiefs of Staff and Program Producers Read more.

High Court gives dangerous power to Government

12 December 2003

The High Court has given unfettered power to the Minister for Immigration to remove asylum seekers from Australia, in its refusal today to give special leave to appeal against the deportation of an Iranian detainee. Read more.

Numbers of children in detention on the rise

9 December 2003

Despite broad popular opposition, the number of children in immigration detention has risen in the last month, and children now make up 33% of the detainees in Nauru, A Just Australia reported at the publication of the December edition of its Monthly Detention Bulletin. Read more.

Australia's latest cyberactivist - Malcolm Fraser's Online Petition

24 November 2003

A Just Australia today welcomed the online petition, initiated by former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, against the detention of children and families. Read more.

National Nauru Summit, Public Statement, Melbourne

21 November 2003

Major national organisations met in Melbourne 21 November 2003 to seek ways to resolve the plight of the 308 people still detained under Australian policy on Nauru. Read more.

Latest statistics - 183 children in need of compassion

10 November 2003

At least 183 children remain detained under Australian immigration policy as of 6 November 2003, A Just Australia reported today with the publication of its latest monthly statistics. Read more.

More bad judgement on asylum seekers

5 November 2003

Legal fictions and deception have not made Australia more secure, just damaged thousands of lives, according to national human rights group A Just Australia. Read more.

Children in detention - UN joins chorus of condemnation

4 November 2003

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has joined the Family Court, the SA Department of Family Services, numerous medical, professional, community and church groups, and the tide of Australian public opinion, to argue that children should not be locked up in detention centres. Read more.

Persecuting the persecuted - the Department of Immigration's Annual Report

29 October 2003

Australia's hardline immigration policy was exposed as grossly unfair and based on a myth, human rights group A Just Australia said today in response to the release of the Department of Immigration's Annual Report. Read more.

Opinion poll shows tide is turning for refugees

19 October 2003

Australians no longer think refugees are a threat to Australia's borders but they deserve a fair go, said national human rights group A Just Australia, at the launch of For Those Who Come Across the Seas, a new CD by leading Australian musicians. Read more.

Chappell and team on tour for refugees

11 September 2003

The looming refugee crisis period in Australia will be discussed at public meetings in Adelaide, St Kilda and Parramatta next week, with Ian Chappell heading a team of speakers taking their concerns to fellow Australians. Read more.

A morning of Ruddock-speak interpreted

29 July 2003

News this morning, including tapes allegedly of Minister Ruddock aired on Four Corners last night and AM this morning, require interpretation to make them accord with reality, according to Howard Glenn, National Director of A Just Australia. Read more.

A Just Australian of the Year Award Winners

17 July 2003

From each State, from all walks of life, outstanding Australians were honoured today for their contribution to building a just Australia for refugees and asylum seekers. Read more.