social issues

ASID: Asylum Seeker Independence Day

Anita and a group of passionate friends organised a benefit gig known as ASID for Asylum Seekers who are currently on Bridging Visa Es. For more details go to www.myspace.com/asidaustralia OR www.asidaustralia.com

Why did we do this?

• Under current legislation, a person seeking asylum must lodge a protection visa application within 45 days of arriving in Australia.
• Those who do not lodge a protection visa within this time are only entitled to a Bridging Visa E.
• If they are on a Bridging Visa E, this means they cannot work, cannot obtain access to medicare and Centrelink and are often reliant on charity organisations for months or even years while waiting on a decision about whether they are a refugee.

We supported Hotham Mission which, along with many other amazing organisations, helps to look after those Asylum Seekers in the community on a Bridging Visa E.