Liberal frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull says his government’s border policies comply with international law but they are harsh and some would say cruel. In an interview with the BBC’s HARDtalk overnight, Minister Turnbull said the measures are needed to end the people smuggling…

Aged care services should be adapted to suit the needs of new and emerging ethnic communities, according to multicultural lobby group The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV). The ECCV appealed to Victorian and federal budget decision-makers to commit to…

Ground-breaking new anthropological research has shed light on what has driven humanity’s amazing cultural diversity. Genetically, humans are the most homogenous species on the planet, yet we have different religions, marriage systems, languages, and dances. “Humans are a very young…

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s optimism came even as Australia sent a boatload of asylum seekers back to Indonesian territory with a new tactic that has added to Jakarta’s concern over the border protection policy. Dr Yuhoyono’s office says he received a…

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has joined the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council and other ethnic community broadcasters in voicing strong opposition to the recommendation from the recently-released Commission of Audit Report, proposing to cut…

THE Abbott government will unveil a revamped work-for-the-dole scheme as the centrepiece of its tough new welfare regime in next week’s budget that targets under-30s but applies to all recalcitrant unemployed people. Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/tony-abbott-to-phase-in-new-dole-regime/story-fn59noo3-1226905200783#

They are affectionately known as “The Three Musketeers” and for the past ten years they have been volunteering to help new arrivals to Australia learn English. Al Nakonesky, Sarvesh Somana and Ed Mooney are all in their seventies and have…

Asylum seekers in Australian detention centres are held for an average of more than nine months, far longer than international standards. The average time asylum seekers are detained is 275 days – almost four times longer than the average 72…

Refugees who are resettled in Cambodia by the Australian government will be unlikely to gain employment rights, get an education or be given permanent residency, according to a peak international development body. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/development-bodys-concern-for-refugees-resettled-in-cambodia-20140430-zr1v8.html#ixzz30QHi6Cqu

The Abbott Government is facing fierce and united opposition from influential ethnic groups over its proposed changes to racial discrimination laws, with one warning in a formal submission that the amendments will lead to race riots like those seen in…

The Cambodian government has agreed in principle to take in refugees from the Australian run detention centre on Nauru. Read more: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asia/radio/program/pacific-beat/cambodia-agrees-in-principle-to-accept-refugees-from-nauru/1303046

After a whirlwind few months involving thousands of hours of volunteer help, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s new Home of Hope is opening its doors in Footscray. Thursday’s opening will mark a homecoming of sorts for the centre and its…