THE federal government’s turn-back-the-boats policy is putting asylum seekers at risk and has hurt Australia’s relationship with Indonesia, new research claims. THE University of Queensland research, out Friday, says the controversial policy had not addressed the causes of migrant smuggling…

Every fortnight almost 200 asylum seekers gather for an event known as The Community Kitchen, which provides a culinary and social event for those waiting for their refugee status to be processed. Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-15/community-kitchen-for-asylum-seekers/6086920

Criticism of the lack of cultural diversity in the Australian Hip Hop music scene is increasingly growing internationally. As the mainstream scene here remains predominantly white despite growing talent from various diverse cultural backgrounds, the biggest names in the industry…

Most of us have chowed down on a chicken korma, munched on marsala and scoffed samosas. Now, the secret of why Indian food tastes so good has been revealed. Indian food, with its heady mix of multiple ingredients and intoxicating…

Australia’s leadership ranks still lack cultural and gender diversity, while significant barriers to employment participation persist for other diverse groups, according to diversity advice group the Diversity Council Australia. More than ever before, Australian employers must rethink what they’re doing…

Civilians have increasingly come under violent attack across the globe with 2014 dubbed a “catastrophic” year in which world leaders proved “shameful and ineffective” in protecting innocent people, a new report from Amnesty International says. The report details abuses in…

​Two AMES Youth classes from Box Hill recently enjoyed a day learning to sail on Albert Park Lake. The classes went to the lake on December 11 with teachers Nicole and Joe to learn about water safety and how to…

More than 100 children committed self-harm, 30 reported sexual assault, nearly 30 went on hunger strike and more than 200 were involved in assaults in a 15-month period in Australian immigration detention, a damning new report from the Australian Human…

A new program that aims to get seniors more confident with technology is being offered in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Farsi, Hindi and Dari. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/02/06/new-whiz-kids-multicultural-program-getting-seniors-tech-savvy

Brimbank Park is in good hands as a passionate former refugee joins the Parks Victoria ranks as a trainee ranger this month. Hsar Thein Ju, 22, is the first person in the state to be offered a two-year traineeship, awarded…

How can a playwright create a play so topical it feels freshly ripped from the headlines when it often takes more than two years to bring new work to the stage? Answer: Give them 15 days to write a script,…

A six-month program of festivals, workshops and events to celebrate immigrant culture and food was launched recently at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum. The first of the ‘North South Feast West’ program was the Chocolate Festival, which filled the museum with a…