2003

Tuesday 23rd September 2003
Immigration Lawyer to Speak about Challenging Racism in Australia
To coincide with the release of the Australian Catholic Bishops' annual social justice statement to the Australian Catholic community, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will host a workshop that addresses the statement's theme: "Challenging Racism in Australia Today."

Organised by the Diocesan Social Justice Commission, the workshop will take place at the Catholic Diocesan Centre next Sunday afternoon, September 28.

Mr Kerry Murphy, a Sydney based lawyer who has many years experience working with people seeking residence in Australia will speak at the workshop about his understanding of racism in relation to refugees.

Kerry is currently a member of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights group, the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and the Migration Institute of Australia. He lectures in immigration law to students at the University of Technology Sydney, University of NSW and the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC). He has been a volunteer at IARC for many years and written articles on immigration law and practice.

Kerry worked for a short period with the Department of Immigration, and then co-ordinated the Australian office of the Jesuit Refugee Service.

He has been working as a lawyer almost exclusively in immigration law since 1997. His experience is across many visa types as well as through all merits and judicial review.

Kerry has also advised and written background papers for the Australian Catholic Bishops' Social Justice Council. Background papers include: The Unwanted Stranger? Refugees in Australia and Are we welcoming the stranger.

All are encouraged to attend this important workshop. For more details about the workshop please contact the Pastoral Support Unit of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle on Ph: (02) 4979 1150 or Email: dpsu@mn.catholic.org.au

The text of this year's Australian Bishops' Social Justice Sunday statement A Generous Heart in the Love of Christ: Challenging Racism in Australia Today can be found at: www.acsjc.org.au

WHEN?
Sunday 28th September 2003, 2:00 pm til 4:30 pm

WHERE?
Catholic Diocesan Centre, Toohey Room, 841 Hunter Street Newcastle West

Back to Media Releases