I READ with keen interest the four letters in last week’s “Have your Say” segment, which dealt in some way with asylum seekers and their predicament and Government policy.
In May 2010 I wrote to my Federal member suggesting that “a series of electoral discussions be held” and “if the discussions are seen to be fruitful they could become a model for other electorates.”
Despite another two letters sent in April 2011 and December 2011 nothing came of my proposal.
Since October 2013 I have been involved in an English class for asylum seekers and as a result I have met some fine Iranian and Sri Lankan people who have arrived on our shores.
Our family has also shared table with a South Sudanese family.
It has now become my task to organise a discussion with the theme “Providing humane help and care for suffering men and women on our door step” at a forum which will be held at St Paschal’s Hall, Warraba Street, Wavell Heights on Tuesday, May 6 at 7.30pm.
There will be an opportunity to meet asylum seekers and hear a speaker from the Oscar Romero Centre and a psychologist who visits asylum seekers in detention.
My faith imperative for this enterprise is Ecclesiasticus 4:23 “Do not refrain from speech at an opportune time.”
Brendan Scarce
Brisbane QLD
[divider]
