AASW Social Work People#HomeToBilo: Speaking a language that politicians can’t speak
Since March 2018, Bronwyn Dendle and Angela Fredericks have been campaigning for the Murugappan family to be released from detention and returned to their home in Biloela. The story of the family is complicated. It spans continents, decades, and multiple changes in Australia’s immigration laws. The facts of this story can become lost, hidden behind divisive, politically motivated expression of opinions. Before listening to this episode, you can refresh your understanding of the facts here.
In June 2021, 4 year old Tharnicaa required urgent medical treatment for a disease that had been untreated in detention, creating publicity round the world about her family’s treatment, and the #HomeToBilo campaign to end their enforced detention. The campaign has been described by one newspaper as having changed Australia’s national conversation on refugees.
Bronwyn and Angela are both AASW members and in this episode we discuss how they have focussed the world’s attention on Australia’s treatment of people seeking asylum.
LINKS
The Campaign: https://www.hometobilo.com/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-20/no-place-like-home-for-biloela-asylum-seeker-family/100450688
https://www.abc.net.au/austory/statement-immigration-minister-alex-hawke/13549722
https://www.marieclaire.com.au/2021-marie-claire-women-of-the-year
Marie-Claire’s Women of the Year: Pryia Murugappan; The Women of Biloela
Saul Alinsky’s Rules For Radicals
https://www.openculture.com/2017/02/13-rules-for-radicals.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_for_Radicals
Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly From Little Things, Big Things Grow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAONlfoNVuY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The AASW respectfully acknowledges the past and present traditional owners and on-going custodians of the lands on which this podcast was recorded. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and families, and to the Elders of other communities who may be listening.
