We, the organisations that have issued this statement, call on the Australian Federal Government to show compassion
and empathy for Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa – the Tamil family who have been adopted by the community of
Biloela. The children born to this precious family are Australians. They belong here.

Click here to view or to download the media statement.

MEDIA RELEASE 
September 2 2019

On Thursday August 29, Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) launched officially its new research report Settlement Experience of Syrian and Iraqi Refugees: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward at Gilbert + Tobin, a long-term supporter of ERC’s research, advocacy and community development programs. 65 people from diverse backgrounds attended the report launch, including representatives of government departments, local councils, businesses, academics, community organisations, community representatives/leaders, community development practitioners and refugee rights advocates.

Edmund Rice Centre Director Phil Glendenning has been at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) all week in Tuvalu. As we wait for the Leaders Communique to be released some time this evening, here are his reflections on the PIF so far. #PIF2019 @Pacific Calling Partnership

"I have attended numerous international meetings on climate change for the better part of a decade and I have never felt as sad, embarrassed, and disillusioned as I did last week in Funafuti, Tuvalu."

Read our Director Phil Glendenning's Opinion piece in the Canberra Times this morning, where he shares his thoughts on the recent Pacific Islands Forum.

A breakdown in Australia-Pacific relations would be a self-made tragedy by Phil Glendenning

MEDIA RELEASE 
Friday 16 August 2019

Despite strong recent statements from a number of Pacific island leaders about the importance of curbing Australia’s coal mining activities, the final Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) 2019 Communique, including the Kainaki II Declaration, is a significantly weakened version than had been hoped for by many.