Ginninderra News - June 2004

Assembly Opens its Heart to Refugees

The Legislative Assembly recently opened its heart to refugees at the launch of the 2004 Field of Hearts Campaign in Civic Square on May 25. The launch was accompanied by an exhibition in the Assembly exhibition space.

As well as Wayne, who formally launched the event, several MLAs and representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Amnesty International, and other refugee support groups were in attendance.

The Campaign began in Canberra last year to give Canberrans a way to show their support for refugees and their opposition to Australia’s refugee policies. However, the simple act of writing a note on a plastic heart has since spread across Australia, from Young in NSW to Toowoomba in Queensland, and as far away as Western Australia.

This year’s goal was to place ten thousand hearts on the lawns of Parliament house on UN World Refugee Day.

In launching the campaign, Wayne stressed the importance for Australians to have a way to express their disagreement with the decisions made by politicians – the reason why the Field of Hearts is so effective.

“When we launched this campaign last year, no one realised how successful it would be. To read some of the eloquent and moving comments that Australians have written in support of refugees is inspirational,” Wayne said.

“Unfortunately Australia continues to mistreat the vulnerable people who come to our shores seeking refuge.

“We condemn asylum seekers – men women and children – to months and years behind razor wire, destroying their lives and then, with Temporary Protection Visas, treat them as second-class citizens when they get out.

“If you object to these policies, the Field of Hearts campaign is an opportunity for you to express yourself,” Wayne said.

Wayne plants a heart for refugees at the Field of Hearts launch. (Photo courtesy of The Canberra Times)