The death of an Iranian asylum seeker at the Manus Island detention centre in PNG has sparked demonstrations across Australia. The young man died during unrest at the centre, in circumstances that are yet to be publicly revealed. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/naca/radionews/episode/319796/Rallies-across-Australia-over-Manus-death

Generous Victoria Market stall-holders, local shops and the Coles Supermarkets at Melbourne Central and Southern Cross Station have been providing food and support for the ‘Voices Without Borders’ choir rehearsals. Community and AMES client volunteers have been helping out in…

Migrants make substantial economic contributions to the societies they settle in, according to new research from Britain. The study, by University College London researchers, said recent immigrants were less likely to claim benefits and live in social housing than people…

AMES social enterprise fifty-six threads café has joined forces with Suspended Coffee Society to provide free coffee to Melbourne’s disadvantaged. Suspended coffee involves a customer paying for two coffees, one for themselves and one in advance for someone who otherwise…

As part of a government to government discussion on human rights Beijing has criticised Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and questioned whether Australia may be illegally repatriating refugees to third countries. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3949132.htm

Sheridan Mills walked away from a high-flying career in commercial design and project management because he wanted to “try to make a difference and give something back”. He is now Weekend Supervisor at AMES’ fifty-six threads café in Kensington. “I…

Papua New Guinea locals employed by security guards at the Manus Island detention centre attacked asylum seekers with machetes, knives and rocks, an interpreter employed by the Australian Immigration Department has claimed. Azita Bokan alleges asylum seekers used plastic chairs…

The Indonesian ministry in charge of security matters says Australia’s policy of turning back asylum seeker boats has led to territorial breaches and needs to be stopped. A review of operations by Australian Navy and Customs has found vessels inadvertently entered…

Hear the AMES Voices Without Borders refugee and asylum seeker choir featured on Richard Stubbs ABC Radio show, 774 ABC Melbourne. [jwplayer mediaid=”927″]  

The case of an Indian student, brutally bashed in Melbourne late last year, has prompted calls for changes to Australia’s migration regulations. Manrajwinder Singh was attacked on December 29 while on a night out with friends to celebrate the end…

The Privacy Commissioner and the Immigration Department have launched investigations into how details of thousands of asylum seekers in Australia were inadvertently made accessible online. The breach could potentially see thousands of asylum seekers in Australia who were previously ineligible…

A government inquiry will be launched as serious questions have been raised about Australia’s responsibility to asylum seekers held in offshore detention centres after violent clashes on Manus Island left one Iranian asylum seeker dead, another shot and scores of…