GetUp! - Minister Morrison, this policy is not saving lives

We may never hear the stories of the asylum seekers who sought our protection, and those who were handed back to Sri Lankan officials over the weekend. But John's story tells us everything we need to know about why Australia's asylum seeker policy is not saving lives. 

In 1986, I left Sri Lanka and came to Australia as a refugee. As a part of the Tamil ethnic group, I faced violence and intimidation in my own country. I witnessed young children become the innocent casualties of the civil war, as the violence inched closer and closer to our home and my family.

So you can imagine my distress at hearing our government is sending people back into the hands of the very people, whom they're fleeing. This is not the Australia I know, the country that took me in with open arms more than 20 years ago.

Are we willing to send asylum seekers back to a place where people are being arbitrarily detained and tortured? Where women are being assaulted? Where they could die? Maybe Minister Morrison doesn't understand the potential consequences of his actions, but I certainly do.

I know we Australians are good and kind people, but perhaps there are many who aren't aware about the reckless acts being perpetrated by our government and their implications.

Please, will you help me share my story and my message to Minister Morrison?

- Reverend John Jegasothy

MUA: Petition to Senate to Secure Local Maritime Jobs

Please sign our petition, asking the Senate to stop the issuing of Maritime Crew (subclass 988) visas to foreign workers.

 CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION NOW!

Tony Abbott is trying to open the floodgates for foreign workers to work in the offshore oil and gas industry.  He is issuing Maritime Crew (subclass 988 visas) to foreign workers and he is trying to overturn laws Labor put in place to protect Australian maritime jobs.

Please sign our petition to Senators, which asks them to:

(a) vote against the Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Repeal Bill 2014; and

(b) act to prevent the Federal Government from continuing to issue Maritime Crew (subclass 988) visas to foreign workers for the purposes of working in Australia's offshore oil and gas industry.

To ensure the benefits of large scale resources projects, like Chevron's Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects, flow to current and future generations, we must ensure Australians work on these projects.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION NOW!

Yours in solidarity

Christy Cain
MUA State Secretary

Blue Mountains - Bust the Budget Sydney Rally

MUA: Anti Abbott Fever Grips the Nation

MUA Media Centre / News July 07, 2014

Thousands of people took to the streets yesterday to protest the most unfair and unjust Budget delivered in Australia’s history.

With an estimated 25,000 in Melbourne, 10,000 in Sydney and 1000 in the rest of the capitals and Newcastle, including a hardy bunch weathering the storms in Perth, a diverse cross-section of the community was represented.

The MUA had a strong showing at every march.

Deputy National Secretary Mick Doleman who attended to Sydney rally said it was heartening to see so many people unified in their opposition of the Government and the Budget.

"Abbott and his cronies are intent on attacking working people and Australia's most vulnerable," Doleman said.

"Well we won't stand for it and I think today has shown that if you take away things like universal health care, fair and free education and make massive cuts to welfare, you'll have a hell of a fight on your hands.

“Now is the time for people power, we have to unite to fight not just the Budget but fight this nasty Government to ensure they only get one term.”

At the Sydney rally Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon called on the cross benchers to stand up for working Australians and block he Budget.

 “If new Senators allow this budget through in its current form it will fundamentally reorient Australia, making us a less fair society. They have a critical opportunity to defend mainstream Australian values,” Mr Lennon said.

“This budget rips $80 billion from health and education and yet at the same time introduces a $7 GP co-payment, shredding Australians’ cherished right to universal health cover through Medicare.

“Australians believe in Medicare because it makes us a better and more inclusive society.

“This budget will also see the introduction of $100,000 degrees, dashing the hopes of kids from working families who aspire to tertiary education.

“And the cuts to welfare, pensions and parenting payments will combine with higher petrol costs to push many households to the brink of financial hardship.

“This is a budget that will change the face of Australian society, propelling us towards US-style inequality.”

ACTU: Support for Low Income Super Contribution a win for workers

07 July, 2014

The retirement savings of almost 3.6 million workers, including 2.2 million women will be spared from Tony Abbott’s cuts following news today that the Palmer United Party will vote to save the low income super contribution.

ACTU President Ged Kearney welcomed Mr Palmer’s announcement and said it was a huge win for some of Australia’s lowest paid workers.

“All Australians deserve a secure retirement and the low income super contribution helps those earning $37,000 per year or less,” Ms Kearney said.

“Hardworking Australians and their Unions right around the country campaigned for the retention of the low income super contribution which makes a real difference to the retirement savings of millions in our community.

“By abolishing the low income super contribution, Prime Minister Abbott would cut the retirement savings of half of Australia’s female workforce.

“In fact, if the Abbott Government succeeded in scrapping the LISC, millions of the lowest paid workers in Australia would end up paying more tax on their super contributions than they do on their wages - and be the only workers who would.

“It says an enormous amount about Mr Abbott that he is happy to leave the superannuation accounts of the highest paid untouched with their 30% tax concessions but is happy to penalise the lowest paid for saving for their retirements".


“Australian Unions won’t stand by while Mr Abbott attacks the Australian way of life, we’ll fight so hardworking Australians get a fair go.”