Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office

Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Pope John Paul, in his message for the World Day of Migration 2001, reminds us that "although it is true that highly developed countries are not always able to assimilate all those who emigrate, nonetheless ... the criterion for determining the level that can be sustained cannot be based solely on protecting their own prosperity, while failing to take into consideration the needs of persons who are tragically forced to ask for hospitality". We should always be mindful that people seeking protection have not chosen that path, and many have been forced to take drastic measures.

In keeping with the Holy Father's words, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees, in a Statement in May 2001, called for a generous increase in the numbers of refugees admitted to Australia each year.

Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees
On 11 July 2001, in Canberra, Archbishop Francis Carroll, Present of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference (ACBC) and Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, launched the Australian Catholic Bishops' Statement on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees. The Statement is available from the Catholic Bookshop in Canberra (tel/fax: 02 6201 9888) and other Catholic Bookshops around Australia for a recommended retail price of $5.95 (GST inclusive). Or it can be accessed from the ACMRO home page at www.acmro.catholic.org.au.

Immigration Detention.
As the year 2001 has progressed, issues surrounding detention have been constantly in the news, beginning with the release of the "Flood" report. Mr Philip Flood was commissioned late last year to conduct an inquiry into immigration detention procedures. This inquiry followed allegations of child abuse at Woomera Detention Centre. When Mr Flood released his findings at the end of February 2001, the ACMRO in conjunction with the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC), released a statement. Like many other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), we welcomed Mr Flood's recommendations. However we suggested that they "act as a springboard for further enquiry with the aim of improving conditions and treatment for detainees and of ensuring that they are treated with the love, respect and dignity which is demanded by Jesus Christ".

Best wishes to all our readers!

(Fr) John Murphy
Director

Refugee and Migrant Sunday will be celebrated in most Catholic dioceses on Sunday 26 August 2001. The day is observed as Refugee Sunday by the other member churches of the National Council of Churches in Australia. The theme concerns the exceeding number of refugees in contrast to the number of refugee places available throughout the world.

ACMRO in conjunction with the National Council of Churches in Australia (Program for Refugees and Displaced People) and the Mercy Refugee Service held a competition in Secondary Schools for a Refugee and Migrant Sunday poster. Congratulations to the winner, Alexander Ly (14 years) , a year 9 student of St James College, East Bentleigh, Victoria. The poster entitled 'Give Peace a Hand' reflects the need for countries to aid in the peace process by offering a helping hand to refugees.

ACMRO, in conjunction with the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, is preparing a leaflet on asylum seekers. The purpose of the leaflet is to suggest practical ways to help asylum seekers. In this context, Refugee and Migrant Sunday is an opportunity for the Catholic community to offer assistance, friendship, understanding and compassion to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. It is also opportune to use the Sunday to consider and think about life as an asylum seeker: what would it be like, what would it mean? Understanding the dilemma of asylum seekers should increase our compassion for them.

Asylum Seekers and Detention
Mr Philip Flood's Inquiry
ACMRO welcomes the recommendations made in the Flood Report on immigration detention centres. Problems with the management and administration of the detention centres were revealed in the Report. The report is available at www.dima.gov.au. ACMRO has frequently asked for faster processing of applications for refugee status by detainees and for greater transparency in advising detainees of the progress and status of their cases. Therefore we hope that the Flood Report recommendation to reduce the average processing times will be implemented as a priority. We believe that this approach will help alleviate some of the frustration suffered by many detainees.

We also welcome the Flood Enquiry recommendations to improve the physical environment in detention centres, and to give Australasian Correctional Management (ACM) staff appropriate training in cultural awareness and guidance to deal with issues of racism, sexism and religious intolerance.

Overall, we embrace the Report's acknowledgement of problems with conditions in the detention regime. Importantly, we join with other non-government organizations (NGOs) to suggest that the Report act as a spring-board for further enquiry with the aim of improving conditions and treatment for detainees and of ensuring that they are treated with the love, respect and dignity which is demanded by Jesus Christ.

We support concerns of other non-Governmental agencies, many of whom agreed that a full inquiry was necessary in order to have a full examination of deficiencies in the Detention regime and to guarantee protection for witnesses.

We congratulate the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Philip Ruddock, for acting on the recommendation to allow women and children to live outside detention centres. The initiative will allow women and children to be released from detention in Woomera under a trial period after consultation with the Woomera township and after amendments to the Migration and Sex Discrimination Acts. Husbands and fathers will remain in detention while their cases are decided, but they will be allowed visits from their spouses and children. ACMRO, along with other church and community groups, proposed this idea to the Minister last year.

Ombudsman's Report
Similar to the Flood Enquiry, the Ombudsman's Report into conditions and treatment in detention centres recommended alternative forms of detention, especially releasing women and children into the community. The Report also recommended cultural training for ACM staff in order to address significant attitudinal problems so that asylum seekers are treated appropriately, and not as prisoners.

Immigration Detention Advisory Group (IDAG)
In releasing the Flood Report, the Minister also announced an initiative to establish an Immigrant Detention Advisory Group to advise the Minister on the appropriateness and adequacy of services and facilities at immigration detention centres. ACMRO, along with other NGOs, proposed such a group to the Minister earlier this year. The group does not have Church representation. Fr Murphy met with the Advisory Group on 25th June, and raised a number of issues raised by priests and religious who work at the centres.

The UNHCR celebrated the first World Refugee Day on 20 June. Fr Murphy attended a breakfast at the National Museum where Ms Tan Le, the 1998 Young Australian and patron of the Australian Youth Ambassadors Program, presented the keynote address. Tan spoke about her experience of leaving Vietnam, travelling by boat, and arriving in Australia. She emphasised the importance of welcome for refugees, as she and her family received in Melbourne. In the evening, Fr Murphy and Mr Harold Grant represented ACMRO at a World Refugee Day Dinner in Sydney University to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and the 20th anniversary of the Refugee Council of Australia. The principal speaker was Mr Malcolm Fraser, former Prime Minister and Chairman of Care Australia. He spoke in defence of asylum seekers coming to Australia, and was critical of mandatory detention.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day:
1) The United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Anan, called refugees "the greatest survivors of our time ... (people) who have persevered despite losing everything but hope". Noting that the welcome mat for refugees has grown thin, Anan recalled the basic principles of the 1951 UN Convention relating to refugees which includes a prohibition on expelling any refugee whose life or freedom might be threatened because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a social group.

2) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, said that all governments are responsible for the care and respect of the world's 21 million refugees. Sudan has the world's largest refugee problem, where the civil war has displaced more than four million Sudanese. Next are the Afghans and Palestinians, at four million each, and the Colombians and residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, at about 2.5 million each. He expressed alarm over the growing tendency of countries to close the borders to victims of war and persecution. When wealthy countries close their doors to refugees, Mr Lubbers said, it is difficult to explain to Pakistani ministers why they should give better treatment to Afghans. UNHCR had a shortfall of US$115million, yet protecting refugees is a moral and legal responsibility. He also considered "not acceptable" the practice of some countries to close their borders to refugees.

3) Pope John Paul called on governments to ease the plight of refugees and displaced people and to ensure that they live under humane conditions.

4) Refugees, non-government organizations, the UN and the UNHCR staged plays, concerts and exhibitions around the world to mark the 50th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention.
(Source: Asian Migration News June 2001).

Interpretation of the Refugee Definition and Complementary forms of Protection
In response to the current and ongoing debate on the meaning and continued relevance of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the UNHCR has prepared papers to encourage the debate. The papers are entitled "UNHCR Inter-Office Memorandum No. 38/2001" and "Field-Office Memorandum No. 36/2001". The papers present UNHCR's position for the 2001 Global Consultations on Refugee Resettlement.

UNITED NATIONS WEBSITES:
1) UNHCR - www.unhcr.ch
This site contains country information, statistics, news, press releases, UNHCR publications, a special section for teachers and information on the role of UNHCR.

2) UNHCR-50 Foundation - www.unhcr-50org
The UNHCR-50 Foundation is a small, non-governmental organization set up to assist UNHCR to commemorate its 50th anniversary and to assist in the creation of the Refugee Education Trust (RET). The website contains information on the RET, a Gallery of Prominent Refugees, and information on World Refugee Day, 50th Anniversary activities around the world, publications, the Web Cast of Refugee Voices, and the 50th Anniversary ceremonies in Geneva.

3) The British Broadcasting Corporation is featuring a series on refugees and on 29 July 2001 the High Commissioner for Refugees will answer questions at the website: www.bbc.co.uk/refugees.

4) United Nations - www.un.org
The home of the United Nations on the internet. This comprehensive site gives you access to UN documents and maps, the UN NewsCentre, photographs and career information, as well as information on the UN and its agencies and committees, human rights, international law, conferences and events and much more.

5) UN System - www.unsystem.org.
Official website locator for the United Nations system. Search alphabetically or thematically, view the UN system chart and access the UN news service.

6) UN Volunteers - www.unv.org
2001 is the International Year of Volunteers. More than 2,000 experienced and motivated women and men of about 150 nationalities are currently serving in developing countries as UN Volunteers. In 2000 the United Nations Volunteers received UNHCR's Nansen Medal for outstanding services to refugees. This website contains information on becoming a UN Volunteer, as well as news, contacts and activities.
Source: UNHCR Newsletter No. 1/2001.

Melbourne
The Asylum Seeker Project is run jointly by Hotham Mission, Outreach Mission and the Seddon Congregation of the Uniting Church, and has been established for the last 5 years, providing temporary accommodation, support and referral to asylum seekers who have no income or work rights and no financial assistance. They work closely with the Red Cross Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme, the Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture and the National Council of Churches from where the majority of asylum seekers are referred, in ensuring that the essential needs of the asylum seekers are met. Contact telephone 03 9326 8245.

Gerald Searle, Director of the Catholic Migrant Centre, Perth, retired on July 2nd. We take this opportunity to thank Gerald for his dedicated work over 17 years, and to wish him every blessing for the future. The acting Director at the CMC is Fr Adrian Pittarello.

The theme this year is "Clearing a Safe Path to Freedom and Hope" and will be celebrated from 8 - 14 October.

The World Conference Against Racism will be held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September 2001. The World Conference is the third global consultation on racism. Government, non-government and community organizations are invited to participate and work together on the formulation on a global plan of action to address racism in the next decade.

The Human Rights Council of Australia has produced an Australian community action kit against racism, highlighting various practical activities that can be undertaken in support of the conference. Kits can be accessed at the Human Rights Council of Australia website at www.ozemail.com.au

The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law is holding a conference from 10 to 11 December 2001 at the Novotel, The Esplanade, St Kilda, Melbourne. Topics will include:
Cultural Relativity of Human Right; Self Determination; Privatisation of Human Rights; Human Rights and Community Awareness and the Bill of Rights; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The University of New South Wales, Centre for Refugee Research is calling for conference papers for an international conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the Refugee Convention. Registration forms and conference events can be accessed at the Centre for Refugee Research website: www.crr.unsw.edu.au

Congratulations to the Women's Interfaith Network uniting nine different faiths to consider alternative methods of dealing with division and hatred in Australian society where religion can serve to unite and improve communications. The network is represented by members from the Aboriginal community, Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Quaker faiths.

The Canadian Council for Refugees (CRR) is planning to use the November 29 to December 1 conference as a forum for discussion and networking on the reception and integration of resettled refugees. The CRR is eager for representatives from Australian NGOs to attend to promote information exchange and to increase and improve networks for those involved in refugee resettlement.

Australia's Humanitarian Resettlement Program -
A review of Legislation and Policy Advice

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs called for submissions for the review of legislation relating to the onshore component of the Humanitarian Program and policy advice guiding its application. ACMRO is currently examining the document.

Humanitarian Intake for 2001 -2002
The planned Humanitarian Program for 2001-2002 is maintained at 12,000 places - 4,000 off-shore, 6700 on-shore, and 1300 unallocated.

The planned Migration Program for 2001 - 2002 shows an increase from the previous year from 79,000 to 85,000 (an increase of 6,000 places).

The following table compares program planning levels. (See the statement commenting on the program made by the Bishops Committee for Migrants and Refugees at page 8).

The Program provides: 37,9000 places for family migrants (with an increase of 10% from last year); 45,000 for skilled migrants and 1,600 for special eligibility migrants.

1999-00
Outcome

2000-2001
Projected Outcome

2001-2002
Planning Level

FAMILY STREAM
Spouse
Fiancé
Child
Parent
Designated Parent
Preferential - other
Interdependency
SUB-TOTAL FAMILY

SKILL STREAM
Skilled Aust-Linked/Sponsored
Independents
ENS/LA/RSMS/STNI
Business Skills
Distinguished Talents
1 November Onshore
SUB-TOTAL SKILL

SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY

TOTAL PROGRAM

22 970
3 360
2 160
510
1 390
1 280
320
32 000

7 900
15 610
5 390
6 260
110
60
35 330

2 850

70 200

*24 800
*3 650
2 260
500
700
1 390
*300
33 600

**7 680
**22 120
***6 300
6 700
170
30
** ***43 000

2 400

** ***79 000

*27 800
*4 600
2 150
****500

2 350
*500
37 900

6 300
25 100
6 000
7 900
170
30
*****45 500

1 600

*****85 000

NOTE:

Figures have been rounded and totals may not be the exact sum of components.
Program numbers do not include New Zealand citizens.
ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme), LA (Labour Agreements), RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, STNI (State/Territory-Nominated Independent.

* Net outcome as places in the Migration Program taken by provisional visa holders such as spouses, finances and inter-dependents who do not subsequently obtain permanent visas are returned to the Program in the year that the temporary visas expire.
** Includes additional places from the Skill Stream contingency reserve for ICT professionals with Australian qualifications.
*** Includes an estimated 500 from the Skill Stream contingency reserve due to increased demand generated by business, State and Territory Governments and regional certifying bodies.
**** Does not include a contingency reserve of an additional 1000 places in 2001-02 and an additional 4000 places a year thereafter available subject to support from the community and opposition parties in Parliament.
***** Does not include a contingency reserve of an additional 8000 places available for use:

subject to business, State and Territory Governments and/or regional certifying bodies being able to generate additional demand through migration mechanisms specifically designed for their use; and
to accommodate overseas students who successfully obtain an Australian qualification in an occupation in national shortage (that is occupations on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)). Source: DIMA Fact Sheet #20. 20 July 2001.

Detention

Cases - DIMA advises that the RRT finalised 739 detention cases in the year ending June 2001 with an average time of 62 days taken to complete detention cases. The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs publicly estimated upwards of 1200 in long-term detention - ie those who have exhausted all possibilities of appeal and are awaiting deportation.

Service Provider - DIMA has announced that detention services at immigration detention centres are up for tender. The tender is for services at Villawood, Perth, Maribyrnong, Woomera, Curtin and Port Hedland. The current service provider, Australasian Correctional Services (ACS) contract ends in December 2001. The ACS "offer to provide detention services for a further three years ... has not been accepted by DIMA because ... the offer does not represent value for money."
Source: DPS16, 25 May 2001.

Update - numbers in Detention Centres as at 1 June 2001.

Centre	Male	Female		Total
Curtin	682	113	(149)	795
Port Hedland	428	87	(98)	515
Woomera	742	195	(219)	937
Marybyrnong	75	19	(11)	94
Perth	47	3	(3)	50
Villawood	342	88	(40)	430
(indicates # of minors)
Other	Male	Female		Total
Hospital	3	1		4
Prison	76	2		78
Other	7	1		8

Total Residents	2911
Male	2402
Female	509
Minors	520

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Living in Harmony Grants
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs is seeking applications for grants under the "Living in Harmony" Community Grants Program for 2001 - 2002.

Kits and information can be accessed at: www.immigove.au/harmony or by phoning 1800 331 100.

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Loss of Australian Citizenship on Acquisition of Another Citizenship

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs sought comment on Section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948. ACMRO is in favour of repealing Section 17, which currently means that if another citizenship is acquired then adult Australian citizenship is automatically lost. By revoking this Section certain aspects are assured:

The existing law impacts most heavily on, and appears less than equitable to, Australian-born Australian adult citizens;
There is no evidence to suggest that the reality of the estimated 4.4 million Australians who possess more than one citizenship has presented any significant problems for the Australian community; and
Seeking the citizenship of another country does not diminish one's commitment to Australia, and indeed facilitates transfer of international skills and expertise to Australia.

ANTI-HUMAN RIGHTS BILL

The Refugee Council is deeply concerned about the reintroduction into Parliament of the Administrative Decisions (Effect of International Instruments) Bill. Often known as the "Anti-Teoh Bill" because of its genesis in a High Court decision, this Bill takes away any obligation on an administrative decision maker to be mindful of international treaty obligations when making a decision.

If this Bill is passed by the Senate, the commitments that Australia has made by signing international human rights treaties such as the Refugee Convention and the Convention on the Rights of the Child will be meaningless. It is something akin to going through a wedding ceremony and then passing laws that say you do not have to pay any attention to your vows.

It is RCOA's contention that this is evidence of lack of understanding for the internationally accepted fundamental principles of human rights in the drafting of which earlier Australian Governments played such an important role.

It also shows a deeply troubling disrespect for the foundations of a healthy democratic society. RCOA believes that it is vitally important for all Australians and for the future of this country that this Bill be blocked in the Senate.

Source: Refugee Council of Australia, March Newsletter 2001 at www.refugeecouncil.org.au

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Refugee Facts

The Refugee Council of Australia states that the Government, in defending Australia' detention policy, is omitting to inform the public of the realities of refugees, such as:

The vast majority of unauthorised arrivals at this time have come to this country to seek protection from persecution they genuinely fear;
Most refugees are not able to travel through conventional channels because they cannot get a passport from the government that is persecuting them;
Over 75% (more in the case of Afghans and Iraqis) of the unauthorised arrivals are being determined to be refugees;
Australia is obliged under international law to provide protection for refugees;
Australia is also bound not to punish refugees for arriving in this country without permission;
Every western country is receiving asylum seekers;
Last year 452,000 asylum seekers sought protection in Europe. Fewer than 12,000 came to Australia;
Australia spends over $120 million per year on detention centres but gives the UNHCR less than $14 million for its core work of protecting and supporting 21.1 million refugees and people of concern;
Australia is the only Western country to maintain a policy of mandatory non-reviewable detention; and
Australia has slashed the number of places it devotes to the offshore humanitarian program from 15,000 in 1995-96 to 6,000 in 2001-02.

The failure of the international community to provide adequate support to countries of first asylum in the Middle East has a great deal to do with the movement of asylum seekers to the west..
Source: RCOA Media Release, 20 June 2001.

Media Release by the Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees - 10 May 2001

Government should re-think migration quota for refugees

The Federal Government would enhance its public profile if it were to reconsider the quota it has forecast for its Humanitarian Program for the next twelve months according to the Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees.

The Committee welcomes the Government's decision to increase the Migration program (non-humanitarian) by about 10% for 2001-2002.

"We are particularly impressed by the increase in the non-humanitarian program as it reflects a strong family focus in the government's commitment to migration in the family stream," said Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, Father John Murphy. "However, we are disappointed that the Minister has indicated the Government will not increase the humanitarian component for next year."

"It also appears that the number of people who will be granted visas outside Australia will be dramatically reduced as there are already people in Australia, for example those in detention centres, who will be granted refugee status from the numbers allocated to the humanitarian program," said Father Murphy. "Australia should join with other settlement countries to further develop programs that would allow an increased number of humanitarian settlement places," said Father Murphy. "This would give displaced people realistic hope of acceptance by a country like Australia instead of resorting to people smugglers."

"Living in Australia, perhaps we are very quick to forget that there are people in the world less fortunate than ourselves," said Father Murphy. "We believe, that as a nation, we should utilize our privileged position to assist others".

The Jubilee Charter on the Rights of Displaced People, proclaimed in Rome on 1st June 2000 on the occasion of the Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees emphasizes the following rights:

The rights of the poorest nations - on whom lies the burden for the welcome of most of the world's refugees - to be supported by wealthier countries in their efforts to fulfil the commitments made with their adhesion to the international convention on refugees.
The rights of separated families to know as soon as possible where their lost relatives are and to get into contact with them as well as to be reunited as soon as possible and protected as the fundamental nucleus of society.
The rights of minors and the elderly to a special protection that takes account of their situation of greater physical, economic and psychological vulnerability.
The right of refugee women to receive special attention that guarantees them protection from any form of violence, the protection of motherhood, access to income and whatever else they need in consideration of their vulnerability and of the role that they play within the family and the community.

"Migration under the Humanitarian Program should not be assessed solely on an economic basis," said Father Murphy. "Indeed, if this were so, thousands of refugees and migrants who contributed so much to this country's progress and well-being would not have gained entry to Australia."

Launch of the Statement on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees

A statement on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees from the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference was launched on 11 July 2001. Most Reverend Francis Carroll, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn and President of the Bishops' Conference, officially launched the Statement to a large gathering including a generous representation from the media. The Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees, Most Reverend Patrick Dougherty, Bishop of Bathurst, was present and spoke to the media of the benefits of migration to Australia. The members of the Central Commission of the Bishops' Conference were at the launch, including the former Chairman of the Committee for Migrants and Refugees, Most Reverend Barry Hickey, Archbishop of Perth.

The Statement is for the Church in Australia. It is not addressed to politicians, and it does not deal with much debated migration issues such as: How many migrants should Australia receive? How should we deal with unauthorised arrivals? etc. It is about pastoral care of migrants and of the community within which migrants come to settle.

However, it acknowledges that the Catholic Bishops of Australia have frequently encouraged the Government to be generous in setting the quota of refugees and migrants it plans to receive annually.

The Hon. Philip Ruddock, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, was unable to attend. Mr Vince Giuca, from the Humanitarian Section of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, read a message from him. The Minister acknowledged the contribution of the Catholic Church and its many volunteers, who are among those providing the personal touch in the settlement process of refugees and migrants. He said that the Bishops' Statement was symbolic of the vital role played by the Church in responding to an important pastoral challenge, presented by the arrival and presence in Australia of many migrants and refugees. He added that, relative to population size, Australia's response to the global refugee situation is equally one of the best in the world.

The following points are taken from a radio interview with Bishop Patrick Doherty on 11 July 2001 following the launch of the Bishops' Statement. The presenter was Graeme Gilbert from Sydney radio 2SM. Bishop Dougherty's comments are in italics.

The presenter commented that, according to the Bishops' Statement on the pastoral care of migrants and refugees, which was launched today by Archbishop Francis Carroll, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the nation and the church have benefited, positively, from the arrival of migrants into this country.

The statement has been anxiously awaited by many people and highlights how the Catholic Church has assisted migrants and refugees and also the benefits of migrants to Australia. The statement identifies what is needed from the welcoming group - the people already here in the church and Australians generally.

Migrants and refugees have increased within the Catholic Church providing a variety of national backgrounds and transforming the previous predominant Anglo Saxon ethnic mix of the church in Australia. This has been a positive development. Even though much has been done for migrants and refugees, more is required, and the statement provides a guide for the responsibilities of various levels of the Catholic Church. Both members of the Church, and Australians generally, need to have a good attitude towards migrants and great compassion for refugees.

Comment was made about the economic and employment needs of Australia 50 years ago, when migrants and refugees were welcomed to fill employment opportunities, such as with the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The outcome was to increase the development of Australia's economic and multicultural base. But in contrast to this positive aspect of migration, there is currently bitter debate in some areas of Australia, about the unauthorised refugees coming to Australia.

The Church's attitude towards refugees and unauthorised arrivals was raised. Bishop Dougherty stated that the attitude of Australians towards migrants should be one of welcome, especially when we consider the background and the success of migration and the tremendous contribution made to Australia.

There are throughout the world some fifty million who are displaced people or refugees or asylum seekers, and these are people who have a double trauma, a trauma not only of leaving their country, but of having nowhere to go.

In Australia, there is much discussion, as we all know, about these matters. Right now, there are major questions being asked. The Bishops' statement encourages us to have a good welcoming attitude towards people from all nations.

The statement aims to ensure that people who are from other countries and who share the same faith with us, will be very welcome, and also become part of both the church and the wider community. The Church embraces and assists refugees and asylum seekers of all denominations and faiths.

The question was asked if the current government is doing the right thing in detaining unauthorised arrivals until the proper checks and balances are completed?

Bishop Dougherty: It's not criminal to seek asylum in another country, and therefore we have in Australia, what should be called 'reception centres'. Unfortunately, the terminology being widely used now is 'detention centres'. International arrangements and international requirements speak rather of reception and of studying each case, but not of detention, especially of the detention of women and children.

With regard to program numbers for the current year, the Bishops Committee for Migrants and Refugees praised the government for raising by ten per cent the family reunion component of the migration program. However we expressed our disappointment that the numbers for the humanitarian program had not increased.

The issue of whether the bishops would keep this on the agenda in the lead up to the federal election was raised.

Bishop Dougherty responded that the Bishops Committee for Migrants and Refugees was concerned with principles so that people are never objects to be studied, welcomed or sent away, but they are people with rights and duties, and those rights, human rights, must be always respected, and the duties of those people too must come into play.

The presenter noted that the statement acknowledges that for the nation and for the church, the benefits of migration have been positive.

Bishop Dougherty: It is doubtful whether anybody could say migration has not been positive for Australia. It should be remembered that one in four Australians have been born overseas.

The problem is: what is an appropriate number of migrants in a country and community such as Australia? The government's numbers, especially for refugees, are fairly tight, fairly strict. One would feel that, given the size of our country, our population, and our spirit of mateship, the numbers shouldn't be put down too coldly.

The humanitarian program numbers are fixed at 12,000, with 4,000 accepted from overseas, leaving 6700 to be accepted within the country, and 1300 unallocated. The numbers should be reflective not just of economic considerations but of human compassion, the need and the good of the country, the needs of people, and the huge numbers of refugees and displaced persons. The question is: how big is our heart and do the program numbers reflect the need?

The presenter concluded: "It is agreed that the total sum of migration has been a positive thing for Australia".

Reflections on the Pastoral Mission of Tourism

The Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People has issued a document containing reflections on the pastoral mission of Tourism.

The 'guide for tourists' outlines the basic steps that dioceses and parishes may take in order to provide tor the spiritual needs of tourists and travellers.

The Pontifical Council - repeating a message recently delivered by Pope John Paul II - stresses that vacation time should not be perceived as a time when moral restrictions are lifted. Ideally, the document suggests, a vacation period, offering chances for rest and relaxation should be a occasion when 'man consecrates his time to God ... and when he generously dedicates himself to the service of others, especially his family."

In the past 50 years the number of tourists in a given year has soared from 25 million to nearly 700 million. The huge expansion in the number of tourists calls for new pastoral initiatives.

Catholic Immigration/Multicultural Offices

National National Director - Rev Fr John J Murphy Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office GPO Box 2720, Canberra ACT 2601 Tel: 02 6201 9848 Fax: 02 6247 7466 Email: director@acmro.catholic.org.au Street Address: 2nd Floor, Favier House, 1 Ballumbir Street, Braddon ACT 2612 Project Officer: Felicity Donnelly Email: projectofficer@acmro.catholic.org.au Administrative Officer: Joanne Little Email: adminofficer@acmro.catholic.org.au
Brisbane Coordinator - Jose Zepeda Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care PO Box 112 Paddington QLD 4064 Tel: 07 3876 3294 Fax: 07 3369 3094 Street Address: 333 Given Terrace Paddington Qld 4064 Romero Centre: 07 3393 1107	Sydney Executive Director - Lenka Hill Catholic Immigration Office 9th Floor Polding House 276 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9390 5148 or 02 9390 5100 Fax: 02 9264 5093
Adelaide Director - Maria Barredo Catholic Multicultural Pastoral Service 2nd Floor, Diocesan Church Office 39 Wakefield Street Adelaide SA 5000 Tel: 08 8210 8235 Fax: 08 8223 3880	Perth Acting Director - Rev. Adrian Pittarello CS Catholic Migrant Centre 25 Victoria Centre Perth WA 6000 Tel: 08 9221 1727 Fax: 08 9221 3793
Melbourne Director - Rev. John Raccanello CS Episcopal Vicar for Migrants and Refugees Melbourne Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office PO Box 146 East Melbourne Vic 3002 Tel: 03 9926 5677 Fax: 03 9926 5617 Street Address: 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne Vic 3002 Executive Secretary: Brenda Hubber	Hobart Contact- Rev Fr Chris Mithen CP St Joseph's Presbytery 65 Harrington Street Hobart Tas 7000 Tel: 03 6234 4866 Fax: 03 6234 3584
Darwin Director of Centacare - Mario Trinidad GPO Box 547 Darwin NT 0801 Tel: 08 8941 0022 Fax: 08 8981 9739 Street Address, Gsell Centre, Darwin	Canberra Director Centacare - Neil Harrigan PO Box 1367 Manuka ACT 2603 Tel: 02 6239 7700 Fax: 02 6239 7171 Street Address: 42 Canberra Avenue Manuka ACT 2603

Refugee Council of Australia
For information and facts about refugees and asylum seekers in Australia the RCOA has published a pamphlet "Seeking Our Safety". The RCOA web site is at http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au.

This newsletter is published twice a year. If you wish to contribute an article to the next newsletter contact us on 02 6201 9848 or at www.acmro.catholic.org.au or email to projectofficer@acmro.ctholic.org.au