January 26 is not a day to celebrate.
For many Australians, January 26 is celebrated as ‘Australia Day’, marking the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove… Read More
Greetings to all for the new year. I hope everyone reading this had a lovely break.
While many new year messages focus on exciting new beginnings, for people seeking asylum and those supporting them, 2025 is going to be a period of trial and challenges, resilience and resistance.
Over in the US, we have just witnessed the second inauguration of President Trump. Within hours, the executive orders issued by the new president confirmed many of our worst fears, and put the future and safety of people seeking asylum at grave risk. We have seen from our own shores that attitudes and policies can spread around the globe rapidly, and we must be vigilant.
Our own federal election brings risk that the already inhumane rhetoric and policy spouted by both major parties will continue to deteriorate.
Having passed three brutal laws that undermine the rights of people seeking asylum and codify cruelty, the Labor government is unlikely to return to its previous election promise of being ‘humane’ and ‘compassionate’. The Coalition knows only how to accelerate this race to the bottom, setting the stage for an ugly and damaging campaign.
With the latest report from Human Rights Watch laying bare Australia’s shameful record and attitude towards people seeking asylum, our task is both significant and clear.
We must all come together – the ASC, our supporters, and our sector – to stand up for people seeking asylum, guided as ever by the irrefutable fact that seeking asylum is a human right, and being treated with dignity and fairness when doing so is a moral imperative.
To help do so, we’re further bolstering our advocacy capability, thanks to a grant from The Scully Fund. In line with the ASC’s multi-year strategy, this new capability will strengthen our advocacy framework, better align our activities under a campaigns model, and further elevate the voices of people seeking asylum. There will be more information about this shortly, so keep an eye out and get involved.
While we continue to support those who flee unimaginable danger and make Australia home, we acknowledge that Indigenous sovereignty over the land we and they live on was never ceded. For many First Nations people, January 26 is a day of mourning, survival, remembrance, and ongoing pain. It is not a day to celebrate, and we in solidarity with First Nations people on January 26 and every day.
As we look ahead to the coming year, to the inevitable hardships and heartwarming examples of humanity and community that consistently counteract them, I am reminded that we must always do so together. The response to our Christmas appeal and our appeal to support kids starting school has been nothing short of incredible, and I would like to thank every person who contributed.
It is yet another reminder that through our collective contribution and strength, we can achieve so much.
