Campaign against media use of 'illegals'

The media sometimes use the term 'illegals' when referring to asylum seekers. Under Australian law, it it not illegal to enter without a visa for the purpose of seeking asylum. The correct term is unlawful non-citizen. Unlawful simply means no particular lawful status, either legal or illegal.

Whenever we are made aware of the use of the term illegal, AJA makes a complaint using the Australian Press Council ruling on a previous complaint  as well as their guidelines on the use of this term. If you are aware of any such use - in print, online, tv or radio - please let us know and we will make a formal complaint. Or if you like you can also make your own complaint using this form letter.

Unfortunately, even politicians sometimes use this term. The last Immigration Minister under the Coalition Government, Kevin Andrews, was a repeat offender. Please let us know if you hear a pollie using this term, or you can send a letter of complaint to them (and CC their media adviser). Get their contact details via the APH website.

Click the links to see results of our successful complaints against the West Australian Newspaper and ABC online (who would have thought?) and recent complaints to the Sun Herald and ABC TV news

A Just Australia has developed a 10 point plan to fix aslyum seeker policy. You can read the plan on our policy page or get more background information on the issues on the overview page.

With the new Rudd Labor government, AJA will continue to advocate for a better system that is fairer, faster and more humane.

But we need your help! You can:

• get our free newsletter which will give you ideas for action
• Become a member or donor
• See our tools for action page, which includes letter templates to contact the Prime Minister, Immigration Minister or your local MP to asking them to promote and support AJAs policy proposals.

Values Guarantee

A Just Australia has asked all candidates in the upcoming federal election to sign the following statement:

"If elected to the Federal Parliament at the next election I guarantee that I will work to ensure that the VALUES (detailed over page) are used as the basis on which to evaluate Australian Government policy, law and its implementation and practice."

The values listed are taken from the Australia Government's "Values for Australian Schooling" program. Click here to see the values guarantee as sent to candidates and a full list of the candidates who have signed the values guarantee and whether they have signed.