MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
This year the Board oversaw the completion of the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. This was the first strategic plan in BASP’s history and has helped the Board and Coordinators as we’ve made strategic decisions over recent years.
The Board has conducted reviews of our risk register, approved the next budget, and discussed opportunities as they have arisen in relation to financial matters, people matters, and even the potential of supporting another not for profit which was requiring governance assistance (although they ultimately were able to resolve their situation).
The Board held 6 meetings throughout the year, and these were well attended.
The Board was involved in the Kildare Ministries conference in early 2024 and visited a number of conference locations to host workshops sessions on behalf of BASP.
The Board congratulates the coordinators and other support staff on another successful year and thanks our ongoing volunteers, partners and donors for their contributions which are fundamental for BASP’s operation.
The Board acknowledges Libby’s Order of Australia award and celebrates that both Coordinators have now been recognised for their sustained efforts over many years to improve social justice outcomes in this country.
Julie Francis, BASP Board Chair
BASP Board L-R: Marg Fyfe csb, Rita Grima, Julie Francis, Mark Northeast, Norman Katende, Josh Lourensz (absent)
BRIGIDINE ASYLUM SEEKERS PROJECT (BASP):
As we reflect on 2024, we are conscious of the two aspects of the work of BASP: the struggle of so many of those seeking asylum and the resilience, tenacity and hard work of those involved with BASP to alleviate some of their distress. We consider here the achievements and the challenges of the year. As each year passes, BASP hopes for change while at the same time doing what we can to alleviate the harm being done to many whose only ‘crime’ has been to seek safety from oppressive regimes.
In our own way BASP seeks to contribute as catalysts of change for an Australia that is much more compassionate to those displaced from their homes because of persecution.
Who we are and what impels us
It is the twenty third year since our establishment.
Our ambition is implicit in our Vision Statement and the pillars of our work are in our Mission Statement:
In 2010 when BASP first adopted this statement we also added the following (which seems even more pertinent in 2024 than when it was first written):
Our Mission
BASP aims to:
- provide hospitality and practical support for asylum seekers
- actively network with like-minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers
- promote community awareness and advocacy for the rights of asylum seekers
- ensure sound governance and ongoing viability of BASP
Our work may never end but we will reach a significant milestone when there is sufficient public awareness and advocacy to have the government adopt policies and practices that support all individuals who have sought protection in Australia.
Some of the criteria for success will be the policies affecting asylum seekers that
- are clear, able to be readily understood and accessible to both asylum seekers and the general public
- are decided in a fair and timely way which means timelines for each stage of a person’s application
- will provide reasonable ways of appealing any rejection without bias
- will provide access to legal assistance so that those affected can understand their legal rights and the legal processes that apply to the determination of their protection status
- will not detain people at any point in their application simply because they are seeking asylum
- will not have financial requirements that preclude some people from getting a just resolution of their claims for protection.
A snapshot of how BASP works
Kildare Ministries is the overarching organization of which BASP is a part. Practically, this authority is exercised through the BASP Board.
There is a small operational group consisting of two Coordinators, a housing support worker, an administration officer and part time finance support personnel.
BASP has a dedicated band of volunteers who offer all manner of assistance which makes the support of those BASP serve so much more effective.
Who finances BASP?
Virtually all money donated goes to services provided, because salaries are paid by the Brigidine sisters and the St John of God sisters. BASP administration costs remain low due to BASP volunteers and the contribution the Brigidine Sisters make towards the provision of office space and associated expenses.
Some very substantial donations help us enormously as do the regular and one-off small contributions. Sometimes people send a donation because of someone’s birthday or as a way of giving presents for their grandchildren. We are proud of the inclusive nature of our organization – we get help from many churches across different denominations, from many individuals in the community, from groups – some set up to help asylum seekers such as Grandmothers for Refugees, Rural Australians for Refugees and other groups who just help BASP because they see helping asylum seekers as a good thing to do. There are a number of groups who do fund raising for BASP. One amazing group (St Mary’s Hampton and organized by the Foxworthy family) have regular trivia nights. These evenings are such good fun and a valuable source of money for BASP. As well we have silent auctions, music events and many creative ways to raise money which not only help
our funds but are good ways to educate the community about the issue of asylum seekers.
The only other money received was $66,000, made available by the State Government through the NASAVic Housing Network, for emergency housing, enabling further support for people to remain in their housing. BASP accounts have been audited by Stannards, 60 Toorak Road South Yarra 3141
The audited reports are on the ACNC Web site.
How do we set out to influence change?
We have regular discussion afternoons, the main focus being to give information and a chance for some supporters to be further informed. We publish a newsletter every three months. The guest speakers have been Asher Hurst, a Policy Officer from RCOA- Refugee Council of Australia, Zoe Daniel-MP for Goldstein and 2 lawyers from the Human Rights Law Centre, Sanmarti Verma and Laura John. Where possible, BASP supports events and ongoing rallies and reflective times to highlight and enhance understanding about particular issues.
- Two lawyers for the Human Rights Law Centre spoke to BASP supporters about a proposed Bill which would further punish those seeking asylum in Australia.
- Zoe Daniels – MP for Goldstein at BASP discussion afternoon spoke of her experience and exposure with conflict and disposed people when working as a foreign correspondent
- Kildare Ministries 10-year anniversary conference – one of the venues was at Star of the Sea.
We have also spoken to a number of school staff and groups of students.
At the Kildare Ministries conference held to celebrate the ten years of their existence, BASP (with the Kildare Ministries schools and community works) contributed to the videos and panel discussions. This gave us a chance to explore BASP work and asylum seekers issues with about 1300 staff and other invited guests. Libby Saunders (BASP Coordinator) was awarded an OAM in the King’s Birthday honour list. We are pleased to have the issue of asylum seekers brought into public awareness by this award.
- Students from Marian College Ararat designed and made a ceramic sign HOPE which now adorns our foyer.
- A kind family donated a car to an asylum seeker. The husband in this family has been badly burnt so the car was great to be able to get him to the hospital for treatment..
- A group of newly arrived asylum seekers from Columbia enjoying some time at Saltbush in Balnarring.
2024 POLITICAL CONTEXT: how it shapes the work at BASP
BASP continues to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our community due to the continuation of the punitive measures and slow government response to people seeking asylum which has developed over the last 2 decades.
In terms of numbers, there are about 8000 people who have no obvious pathway to a permanent visa. As part of this group, there are probably between 1000 and 2000 individuals who have no visa at all (the actual numbers are really difficult to get and are not officially made public). There were 300 or so places available before June 2025 to apply for New Zealand for those who will never be given visas to stay in Australia. Even if all of these places are taken up, as well as the small number who go to Canada and the USA, there will still be many left in limbo.
These long years of uncertainty have caused deep pain and suffering for individuals and families. Children have grown up here, but still cannot be sure of their future in Australia.
Currently a lot work is being done to widen the scope that could secure permanent
visas. Some examples of these might be:
- for those who have contributed substantially to the Australian community, those who have married an Australian citizen, those who have skills needed by Australia, those who are permanently incapacitated because of their suffering and so on.
BASP is part of a number of organizations contributing to this discussion and advocacy.
There was hope that a Federal Labor Government might provide a more just and humane response to people seeking asylum when it came into office. In its first year, it did commence its preelection promise of providing permanent visas to those previously recognized as refugees and holding a 3 year Temporary Protection Visa or a 5 year Safe Haven Protection Visa to 19000 people. However, 800 of these are still waiting and they are extraordinarily
This government also cancelled the Immigration Assessment Authority (IAA) –an internal
review of people arriving by boat which has been deemed, correctly, to be an unfair process. It has revamped the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to become the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) aiming to have more suitable candidates on the tribunal.
These are welcome initiatives but take time to implement and, in the meantime, there are about 8000 people who came by boat, were rejected by the IAA and have been waiting for years to get a hearing at the Federal Circuit Court, often without work rights or Medicare or access to any government income security. There is a high level of destitution in this cohort.
Many in this group seek assistance from BASP, to help with housing, rental, bills, food and basic needs.
The government has maintained the policy regarding the people who were detained after July 13, 2014, on Manus Island or Nauru, now living in Australia “that they will never settle in Australia”.
They are given 6 monthly visas and encouraged to move to NZ, Canada or the USA. Only 70% of those offshore were judged by UNHCR to have refugee status and those who were not deemed to be refugees have no options now – they cannot stay in our country or go to an off-shore place.
These are the kinds of quandaries that face asylum seekers and cause those who are left to despair.
In this reporting year, BASP housed 45 from this ex Nauru and Manus Island group in 27 properties with 4 having moved to Canada or NZ.
In November 2023 there was an important High Court case (NZYQ) involving asylum seekers. The court ordered the release of a man who had been in long term detention with no prospect of an end to his time of detention. This set a precedent and about 150 individuals were released. BASP was involved in a small number of these cases.
This case saw a heightened demonization of asylum seekers in the media and general community. A majority of those released had served their jail time and then years more in detention – many for minor offences. The Coalition parties made political mileage out of this situation and painted all those released as dangerous criminals who posed a threat to the community.
People continue to fly to Australia and then apply for permanent protection, fleeing their homeland for varying reasons.
During this period, there was a spike in people from Uganda and Nigeria following repressive anti-gay laws being passed and actioned in their countries.
Earlier in 2024, there a number of individuals and families from Colombia seeking BASP assistance, fearing the corruption and cartels in their country.
7. Palm Sunday rally, Melbourne
DIRECT ASSISTANCE
- Housing
Some time ago we would have said that paying for housing was the major problem in assisting with accommodation. Now an added problem is accessing housing because it is in such short supply. Of course, paying rents and all associated costs remains an issue particularly because rents and utility costs and repairs have all increased markedly. Accommodation remains the biggest service we offer. It provides us with the opportunity to meet and communicate with those helped – for example, we give out food to those we know have little capacity to buy enough food and household necessities themselves.
Each month, BASP prevented homelessness for over 270 individuals and families. The average monthly rental payments were $84,000
BASP is responsible for 60 properties, a third from religious groups or community members making properties available at low or no rent. The other 2/3s were through real estate agents, paying market rents which increased significantly over the year.
In the past, people who gained an income through work or benefits moved on to private rental, leaving BASP houses for people without income. The housing crisis slowed this to some degree but there was some movement over the period, allowing BASP to house new arrivals or people confronted with homelessness.
BASP also pays the rent of people living in properties they had rented but were no longer able to cover the cost of rent.
There are challenges in that some of those housed have little experience or skills in keeping house. Cooking, cleaning, gardening all become issues. This is true especially in shared housing where some of those living together have different expectations of maintaining the house and environs. - Emergency relief
The average monthly expenditure for payment of bills and cash to those in need was
$24,000.
These expenses include utilities, car registration, and cash to cover phone and travel costs and the purchase of fresh food.
Most other organizations do not give cash to people. We are conscious that what we give only covers the bare minimum needed.
We try to respond to particular needs, for example at the beginning of the school year we get many requests for money to cover books, uniforms, school camps and so on. The Brigidine Relief Fund has paid for many of these requests over the past years. The
10 contributors to this fund are mainly staff from the Brigidine sponsored schools.
- Food and other necessities
BASP continues to be fortunate to receive thousands of dollars’ worth of nonperishable food, cleaning and personal hygiene donations from many sources- parishes, schools, individuals and community groups. Barb Meyer oversees the donations and pantry and packs food hampers for delivery to many in their homes. Other volunteers deliver these- 2 runs a fortnight covering 16 households and 59 people. Many thanks to Pat, John, Viv and Tom.
Many more collect food from the centre each month.
We keep a supply of basic and donated furniture like washing machines, refrigerators, beds, TVs and so on and it is great to be able to provide these to the people we assist. We are also given crockery, cutlery, blankets, towels and sheets, saucepans and cooking utensils and these are useful when people are setting up a house or replenishing items that are worn out. Such items are stored in a small area at the BASP centre or in a couple of garages that are available in houses that have been made available to asylum seekers.
- Employment
Assistance with resumes and job searches continued for those with work rights. Carolyn Nattrass has been volunteering once a week to assist with this.
VOLUNTEERS
The commitment and engagement of 100 volunteers continued, enabling BASP to have the reach it has. Some form firm friendships over many years, others advocate hard to secure a particular outcome, others are available at short notice to transport or accompany to an appointment. Some remain in contact once the person moves on from BASP. Some recent responses from volunteers:
NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
BASP has always joined forces in networks, understanding that we stand stronger in our advocacy when we work with other like-minded people. Three of the groups that BASP is part of in a significant way are the Refugee Advocacy Network (RAN), the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) and Network of Asylum Seekers Agencies Victoria (NASAVic).
We are conscious of the importance of involving young people and are very encouraged by students in a number of schools who have adopted BASP as a focus for one of the school houses – Sienna College in Camberwell, Marymede College in South Morang, Chisholm College in Braybrook. St Mary of the Angels in Nathalia and St Augustine’s Primary school in Kyabram help us each year. Kildare Ministries’ schools also support us and we value this partnership as a community we build with similar history and culture.
Sector
BASP’s connections with other organisations, groups and individuals enhances its work- in direct support for asylum seekers, in efficient use of scarce resources, in sharing expertise and in providing ongoing awareness of the issues and concerns faced by people seeking asylum.
Kildare Ministries
The hugely successful Kildare Ministries Conference in March 2024 provided BASP and the other 2 community works (Wellsprings for Women and Saltbush Balnarring) to showcase their work to all KM ministries. The interconnectedness of schools and community works was recognized, enhancing KM as a whole. One example is BASP families benefiting from Saltbush in Balnarrang, which offers respite and holidays to people in need.
Community
As occurs each year, BASP played a significant role in the Palm Sunday Rally for refugees and has spoken at many school, parish and community gatherings.
Asylum seekers have enjoyed the social experiences offered by others in the community such as the DOXA weekend camp, Saltbush, St Mary’s of the Cross, Aspendale and the Mariana Community.
The sisters of St John of God in Perth have provided a further 3 year grant to cover the salary of the Housing Support Worker, Hana Hussein. This role contributes significantly to keeping the properties well maintained, teaching the residents about the responsibilities of tenancy and retaining good relationships with owners and agents.
ADVOCACY
BASP advocates for individuals and for systemic changes. An example of advocating for an individual:
A young man, Reza, arrived in Australia on a boat twelve years ago. BASP provided accommodation for Reza for several years and other income support for many more years. He has been without a visa and therefore without work rights and Medicare. Judy Dixon, a long term support person who is a migration agent has followed through his legal case for years. Eventually he was given a Bridging visa with the expectation he will get a Permanent visa. He has recently married and so this will give this young couple a chance to get on with their lives.
Brigid has acted for many asylum seekers in a litigation guardian capacity- usually for minors or those with mental health issues. This has enabled the process of applications for protection to continue.
BASP writes many letters to Immigration authorities on behalf of many of those we know or support in other ways.
10. A newly arrived woman who spent some time at Saltbush. A very enjoyable few days of respite.
11. Tony and Karen who are great volunteers took Samson to the football – a new experience for him.
12. Sadou used to live in the BASP Ardeer house. He left Australia to make his home in the Ivory Coast with his wife and children.
13. Palm Sunday in Ballarat.
CHALLENGES
- Slow action by the Department of Home Affairs to review and finalise visa applications.
- Lack of work rights continue to impact many asylum seekers as well as the sector organisations whose mission is to assist those in need. Some people secure cash in hand work but is usually not enough to cover rent and all other costs.
- For those with work rights, employment can be a challenge especially if they only have short term visas such as those renewed every 3 or 6 months, or if they have physical limitations such as back pain.
- Medicare access is denied or slow. For those who have to renew their visas after short periods, they also need to renew Medicare which can take months, impacting on the ability to access health care when needed.
- Inability to assist some. BASP and others working with people seeking asylum are not equipped to assist some with suitable housing/care and alternative options are not available to them due to their visa status. This applies to people with mental health issues which are manifested through aggressive or anti-social behaviour. Alcohol and drug use also impact on offering shared housing. An older woman, whose health deteriorated, grew beyond our capacity to provide the care she needed in a share home and remained in a public hospital bed for weeks as no other options were available.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BASP is blessed by the number of people who support BASP in large or small ways, understanding the ongoing plight of people seeking Australia’s protection and yet not getting it in a fair or timely manner.
The Southern Cross Brigidine Community continues to give enormous support through the provision of the premises from which we operate, the salaries of 1.8 staff, the active work of Brigid and 3 other Brigidines in the office and the moral support from so many of the work we undertake.
The Sisters of St John of God’s continuing support is greatly appreciated.
The promotion and support of the Kildare Ministries Trustees, Mission Team and the broader Kildare community gives strength and encouragement to BASP’s work.
The coordinators also value the work and counsel of the BASP Board and the work of Hana, Julie, Jude, Marg and Ged in the office.
STORIES
These two stories were written by Delia Bradshaw, one of the BASP volunteers.
Siva’s story
Me and my cousin (who I call my brother) came on the boat together. I was fifteen and a half and he, two and a half years older, was eighteen. I didn’t know he was coming till I saw him on the boat. My father organised it all because I was so young and ill.
My illness was caused by a big incident that happened in Sri Lanka that scared me then and still does. Thirteen years later, I am getting help from Cabrini Health Hub.
I came to Melbourne straight from Darwin Detention Centre. Wesley Mission ran the group house where I stayed with other young asylum seekers under 18. They looked after us.
After 18, I was on my own. I went to Dandenong Plaza where I met a Tamil family. I knew of them from one of the boys who had lived with them. I stayed with them for a little while and then kept moving from family to family. I was moving for many years.
I started losing my mind. A friend took me to Cabrini. Recently, Cabrini has given me so much counselling. I can put my troubles in different rooms, and I can lock the doors. I am listening to music, reading books and going to the gym. Until Cabrini, I didn’t know who to believe or who to trust. It’s all about community. If you live with good people, you have a good life.
Then, thanks to Cabrini, Libby from BASP found me a place to live. Since then, I have met so many beautiful people. They are like angels from the sky. If you want to see God, look at the good souls around you. My prayers came true. I believe in prayers. Prayers come true. Eventually. I believe in good spirits. “Why me?”, I used to ask. I lost everything – my mother, my education. I was without a mother, without the love of a mother, father and sisters. I was just a kid. I just want to lead a normal life.
Now, I have a family. Now, I know I am in safe hands. I have big support behind me. I have wings. My wings are back.
Hussein’s* story
Hussein from Iraq arrived in Australia in December 2013. He came from Indonesia by boat, about a one-day trip. He said that the Navy who intercepted the boat tried to move them back to Indonesia. Some of the asylum seekers threatened to jump off the Navy boat.
We were taken to Christmas Island for five days. I had come alone, without family or friends. On the fifth day, they called our numbers and then took us, with many guards, to a compound in a separate area of the detention centre and told us: “We are taking you to Nauru.” About half went to Manus and half to Nauru. I don’t know how they chose who went where. They told us: “You are lucky to be moving to Nauru. We can process your case there.” They said, if necessary, they would take us by force. We left for Nauru by plane the same day.
When we reached Nauru, we were shocked. It was like a prison. They put us in the middle of the island where no-one else lives. Just phosphate and rocks. This camp in the middle only had tents, with about 40 people to a tent, with double beds, one up and one down. It was hot all the time, day and night, and there were no fans. There were mosquitoes everywhere. We couldn’t sleep much at all, mostly between 5 and 9 in the morning when it was a little cooler and there were fewer mosquitoes.
Immigration told us we had two choices. We could stay here or return to our country. They tried to make it very hard for us. There was little water and sometimes it was cut. Showers had to be one-minute long. We tried to save water in a jug and, one time, they came and took it away. Some people tried suicide – mosquito repellent, shampoo, razor blades, hanging or setting themselves on fire.
I went on hunger strike for one month. As my blood pressure as so low, they took me to hospital, gave me some injections and then sent me back to the camp.
The staff working there did not care about our suffering. Most asylum seekers had mental health problems, but they were only given tablets. If people felt worse, they kept increasing the dose. “People need freedom. Not tablets.”
I was seven years on Nauru. They tried to process our case. Lawyers and judges came from Australia. I was interviewed three different times. After waiting for a result for two years, I was given “Refugee Status” but, I still had to stay there. I was told the decision meant I could live in Nauru but not in Australia. I knew it was unsafe to live outside the camp due to assaults and robberies of asylum seekers. I said: “I am going to stay inside. It’s not safe outside.” They tried to force me, but I said “No.”
After one or two years, I had to live outside in a community still in the middle of the island. I kept asking myself:
“We have refugee status, so why are we kept here?”
Then, another ‘game’ began. This time, we were told we had to apply for America. Another interview, this time, we were told, with the UN. “Why again?”, I wondered. First, one interview. Many months passed and then a second interview. I was waiting for months and then a third interview. I was told: “Now, you will have to wait for a decision”. The process started in 2016 and the result came at the end of 2018. They said: “America has rejected you and you can’t appeal.” No reason was given why they rejected me. They rejected more than they accepted. It was just a game.
After that, in 2020, they made another game. “Now, you can apply for Canada.” I felt they were just wasting our time. We just want to leave “that shit island”. This time, we had to apply online. One person gives the case to another person who gives it to MOSAIC (a Canadian immigrant settlement service) who gives it to Canadian immigration. I was telling my story over and over again.
In 2021, I was moved to Australia for medical reasons. I was in very poor physical and mental health. I had to sign to go back to Nauru after treatment. I was taken to Villawood detention centre in Sydney for six months. I was treated for my serious ulcer condition and given medication. Then, I was moved to the Park Hotel in
Melbourne where I stayed for eight months.
At the Park Hotel, I received an email from Canadian immigration, after two and a half years, for an interview.
After a week, I gave another interview and was told my application had been cancelled because I was not still on Nauru. They knew I’d moved because they had told me to update my address, phone number etc. So, they knew but still cancelled my application.
After 11 years, Australian immigration said to apply to New Zealand. I told them:
“I’ve had enough”.
There is no justice. Some of the people who have been given permanent visas came at the same time and the same way as I did. It’s like a chess game. Why not send us to a third country from Nauru ten years ago? They will be happy if I go back to Iraq. The situation there is getting worse. I could die there. They wouldn’t care. We were good people; we did nothing and have nothing.
They have destroyed eleven years of my life.
*Hussein is not his real name which has been changed for privacy and protection reasons.
I was a stranger and you made me welcome
