#blockthebill

So much of my community, the community I love, is comprised by families who sought asylum in this country, especially by boat. The fact that the Australian Senate will be debating a bill to enact a Lifetime Ban on refugees who have tried to seek asylum by boat is beyond the pale of cold racist xenophobia usually exhibited by this country.

While the thought of jumping on the phone and sending emails to contact politicians can be nerve-wracking as hell (I sure feel that way), I really encourage Australians to put pressure on the Senators who are still undecided on this bill to VOTE NO.

Senator Derryn Hinch (02) 6277 3168 1300 498 035 [email protected]

Senator David Leyonhjelm (02) 6277 3054 1300 884 092 [email protected]

Senator Jacqui Lambie (02) 6277 3063 (03) 6431 2233 [email protected]

Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore (02) 6277 3178 (08) 8232 0440 [email protected]

Senator Stirling Griff (02) 6277 3713 1300 556 115 [email protected]

Senator Nick Xenophon (02) 6277 3713 1300 556 115 nickxenophon.com.au

Script suggestion:

“Hi my name is …(name, if comfortable disclosing).. and I am calling from …(location)… I would like to express my concern and discontent with the proposal of imposing a lifetime ban on refugees. This goes against the Refugee Convention and International Law. It also goes against our humanity and morality as we should be assisting those in need of protection. Please vote NO to this proposal or you will lose my vote”

#BLOCKTHEBILL SECOND SNAP ACTION: Saturday, 11th of Feb @ State Library, Melbourne (x)

This refugee life ban bill might get voted in by the Australian parliament this TUESDAY - 7/2/17, keep the pressure up and keep callling and emailing cross bench senators - share this info with your friends and family. Please join us on the 11th of Feb at the State Library. Show our government that we will not stand idly by as they turn their backs on those displaced due to war, trauma and torture.

What is the ‘lifetime ban’ on refugees?

The Coalition is proposing a bill amendment that would prevent asylum seekers arriving by boat after 19 July 2013 from ever entering Australia. On 19 July 2013, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that from this day forward, all refugees arriving by boat would be blocked from gaining long-term protection and settlement in Australia. This proposed ban would add further discrimination against refugees as it is a lifetime ban that would apply to all who were adults when they arrived to Australia after July 19, 2013 and sent to a regional processing centre such as Manus and Nauru, for the rest of their ‘natural lives’. That is, until their death, they are not allowed to enter Australia unless the minister of immigration, who is a politician, and the only person in the whole of Australia with the power to do so, decides to allow them to enter.

What can you do?

This proposal is going to be discussed at the Senate before being passed as law (it is being discussed this Tuesday - 7/2/17!!). We need to ‘Say No To The Life Ban Of Refugees’ and #BlockTheBill. You can help stop this by informing the Senators that you are against this proposal. Call or email the Senators and tell them you stand with refugees and do not support the lifetime ban on refugees bill.

email your local senator and the crossbench senators below and tell them to #blockthebill that would impose a lifetime ban on asylum seekers travelling to australia by boat.

"CROSS BENCH SENATORS * [email protected] ... (03) 9820 2222 * [email protected] ... (03) 6431 2233 * [email protected] ... (08) 8232 1144 * [email protected] ... (08) 8232 0220 * [email protected] ... (02) 9719 1078 * [email protected] ... (08) 8212 1409 Tips for contacting senators: We recommend mentioning your personal reactions to this legislation, including any emotional responses or relevant personal stories We recommend giving a Liberal-held suburb as your own if calling a conservative senator Don’t be disheartened or put-off by their reactions: the idea is to inundate them with calls and mount pressure, even if they aren't immediately receptive Be empathetic toward the staff on the other end: most offices have been flooded with calls over the past few days If calls to a particular office go to switchboard, come back to it and focus on another senator in the meantime If you’re sending an email using a template (one is available here), we highly recommend modifying it with some of your phrasing, and reasons for opposing the bill Use social media, and feel free to hashtag your posts with #auspol or #blockthebill"

“URGENT request by refugees, asylum seekers and ex-detainees in Australia. Lower house has passed Refugee Lifetime ban bill.

Please Contact cross-benchers in the Senate to let them know that you stand for human rights and oppose for torture and imprisonment to be committed in your name. http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members

RISE Letter to the Australian Public – Re:Proposed legislation to ban refugees and asylum seekers who come on boats from entering Australia http://riserefugee.org/letter-to-the-australian-public-rep…/

RISE Media Release – Re : Proposed legislation to ban refugees and asylum seekers who come on boats from entering Australia http://riserefugee.org/03112016/

Open letter from a former detainee in Australia — ‘Please fight these draconian anti-refugee laws’ http://riserefugee.org/1492-2/#BlockTheBill