Australian authors are holding auctions of signed and annotated copies of their work and offers of editing on Twitter in response to leaked government documents revealing plans to force refugees back into danger.
Government documents leaked over night reveal that Immigration Minister Peter Dutton plans to force up to 100 refugees and asylum seekers out onto the street. This will force them back into danger.
Maxine Beneba Clarke is among Australian authors taking part in #authorsforasylum / via The Australian
The documents show that, starting Monday, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection intend to issue dozens of people a ‘final departure Bridging E Visa.’ These were people who were transferred to Australia from offshore detention for medical reasons. This visa gives recipients three weeks to find alternate accommodations, while at the same time cutting their financial support entirely.
Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre, Hugh de Kretser, says:
This is a shocking act of cruelty. We are talking about people who have been in Australia, some for several years. They have endured unimaginable suffering but are finally starting to rebuild their lives in freedom and safety in our communities. Then now, out of the blue, Dutton is trying to force them back to danger by making them destitute.
Australian authors, including Abigail Ulman, Penni Russon, and Stella Prize-shortlister Maxine Beneba Clarke,have rallied in support of the targeted community, offering signed copies of their work, and their editing services in exchange for donations to the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. This is Australia’s largest independent not-for-profit who supports and empowers people seeking asylum and refugees.
Auction:10 signed hardback school copies+a 1 hr VCE English session in 2018. Melb only. Bid in comments. Proceeds 2 @ASRC1 #authorsforasylum pic.twitter.com/95oGYN6Isc
— Maxine Beneba Clarke (@slamup) September 4, 2017
My #authorsforasylum auction: I’ll read & give feedback on a WHOLE BOOK MANUSCRIPT. Limited to writers aged 30 & under. Proceeds to @ASRC1 ?
— Abigail Ulman (@abigaileulman) September 5, 2017
I am offering for auction to raise funds for the @ASRC1 with #AuthorsforAsylum one advice poem, written just for you. Bidding starts at $1 pic.twitter.com/biRGftNWw7
— Penni Overthinking (@eglantinescake) September 2, 2017
#authorsforasylum
Auction ends 11pm AEST Sept 7
REPLY TO THIS THREAD TO BID!
1 signed “The Gulf”
1 hr Skype sesh
1 <5000 word story critique pic.twitter.com/DBVQAFmqcV— Anna Spargo-Ryan (@annaspargoryan) August 31, 2017
Many authors are taking part in the fundraiser, and there are plenty of amazing offers up for grabs for a great cause! Search #authorsforasylum for more details.
Featured Image via The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald