Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (19:25): 'After two years, Australia's experiment in offshore detention has been a disaster. Even the few people provided refugee status have been denied freedom of movement and the right to work. All should be allowed to move on with their lives in dignity and security.' That is a comment from Elaine Pearson. Elaine Pearson recently visited Manus Island in her capacity as the Australian director of Human Rights Watch. She visited Manus Island with Daniel Webb from the Human Rights Law Centre.

WHAT: The anti-Islamic organisation ‘Reclaim Australia' is holding a series of rallies this weekend all around Australia. 

Peaceful counter rallies have been organised for those who oppose racism, bigotry, xenophobia and Islamophobia.

Senator Rhiannon will be speaking at the Sydney counter rally: No to Racism, No to Fascism, No to Islamophobia.

FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/346452865546642/

WHEN: 10am Sunday 19 July

WHERE: Martin Place, between Macquarie and Phillip st

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (12:46): Tonight I will share with senators an inspiring and at times unsettling speech by Lili Shapiro. It brings together a young person's views on Australia's positions towards refugees and climate change. Lili worked in my office last year as part of her year 10 week of work experience. Lili is a student at Canterbury Girls High School. These are Lili's words. She has provided references for the factual material she refers to:

The Hunger for Justice campaign which started today is an important grassroots initiative supported widely in the community. It is endorsed by Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, the Refugee Action Coalition, RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees), the Indigenous Social Justice Association, the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union, SEARCH Foundation and Aid Watch.

I will join the campaign by fasting over the weekend. My last meal will be tonight (Friday) and I will break my fast at 7pm on Sunday 1 February.

I recently met members of the South Sudanese community living in Sydney. It was a most informative meeting. We discussed the challenges members of this community face and I heard of a range of practical measures that would make such a difference to their lives. Members of this community have largely arrived in this country since the mid-1990s through Australia's humanitarian program. Most have settled in Victoria and New South Wales. The total number of South Sudanese living in New South Wales is approximately 6,000 with about 5,000 living in Sydney.

Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon and Balmain MP Jamie Parker have expressed their sadness at news that a Sri Lankan man has self-harmed in Sydney.

“This desperate act highlights the need for Australia to end its cruel policy of sending people back to the regimes they are fleeing”, Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said today.

She was responding to reports that the man set himself on fire in Balmain after being denied refugee status.

Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

Estimates Hearings May 28th 2013

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

• Mr Martin Bowles PSM, Secretary
• Mr Matt Cahill, Acting Deputy Secretary, Immigration Status Resolution Group
• Ms Alison Larkins, First Assistant Secretary, Refugee, Humanitarian and International Policy Division