Free Migration Agents

Free services for eligible refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian entrants to New South Wales, Australia

AFFMA Members

The giant sale edition

Thank you again to our dedicated volunteers!

AFFMA is fully staffed by volunteers – from admin and finance to lawyers and migration agents to governing members – all volunteer their time and energy to serve the protection needs of our clients.

GIANT GARAGE SALE at AFFMA’s Newtown Office & Other Locations on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd October.

While we have no staffing costs, we do have office expenses – rent, phone, stationery, electricity, insurances etc. As you probably realise, no government funding is allocated to our cause …

That’s why we’re having a GARAGE SALE at the OFFICE AND other venues for your convenience!

GIANT GARAGE SALE VENUES:

  1. Car park of 36-40 Port Hacking Road, Sylvania; Enter car park from Melrose Avenue.
  2. AFFMA Office – Upstairs at 326a King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042 Above Cuckoo Callay coffee shop.cuckoo
  3. Unit 15/ 36-40 Port Hacking Road, Sylvania; Enter car park from Melrose Avenue.
  4. Priceline Pharmacy Facade, Sutherland: 764 Old Princes Highway, Sutherland (next to Sutherland Train Station).

All items are NEW and never used. Bargains start at $1 and include:

  • Men’s Board Shorts, Men’s Denim trousers, Black Jeans, Shoes (sport), shirts, Socks, Christian Audigier Polo Tshirts,
  • Lady Shoes, Pantyhose, Liquid Makeup, Sunscreen, Shampoo / Conditioner, Oxygen perfume, Cover Girl, Mascara,
  • Sex n City Perfume, Cotton Swab Packs, Photosphere, Hair removers, Perfumes,
  • Electric Pumps, Wall Mount for TV, Nail Kit, Digital Alarm Clock, Solar Lights;
  • Kids Blankets, Stuffed Tiger toys, Baby Shoes,
  • Dog Houses, Cat Tree, Dog Beds,
  • Rice Cooker, Stanley Rogers 150-piece cutlery set, Sandwich Maker, Cordless Kettle, Weather Station Clock, Home
  • Maker Kitchen Trolley, Hairdryers, Garlic Press, GMC circular Saw, Sticks + Broom +Dust Pan, Solar Light Lantern,
  • Laser pen, Mats, Heaters, Colgate ToothPaste, Ice Cream Scoop, Tomato Slicer, Plant pots 6pk Shot glass, 4pk shot glass, Trolley, Thompson 16 Piece Dinner set, Handheld Mixer, Pepper Grinder,
  • Quilt Cover Sets (All sizes), King Sheet (Art home includes 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet and 2 pillowcases), Sheet and 2 pillow covers, Blanket (Cute Cuddle), Burgandy Quilt, Stuffed Dog, Blue Blankets, White Blankets, Blankets, Bed
  • Sheets, Bed Sheet fitted, Flat Sheet / Blanket, TV Blankets,
  • Kettles, Bubble Stick, Sealers, Spanners, Gloves, Lanterns, S:40, Digital Alarm Clock, Swim Mask set, Spray, Kettles,
  • TV, Homeware, Kitchenware, electrical, electronics,
  • AND MANY MORE – 3,000 ITEMS

Happy bargain hunting!

Karyn Clarke
Acting CEO

Refugee News – July 2017

Global

  • A loose definition of terrorism has prevented a Syrian activist from gaining refugee status in the United States. Read more.
  • A funding gap of US$1 billion within the UN Refugee Agency is threatening the welfare of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. Read more. 
  • Changing the 1951 Refugee Convention to protect climate change refugees could lead to its demise. Read more.

At Home

  • The Australian government will pay $70 million in damages to refugees and asylum seekers held on Manus Island. Read more.
  • The United States will decide whether it will resettle 70 men on Manus Island within six weeks. Read more.

Elizabeth Wright
BComn(Griffith), MHumRights(Curtin)

Sponsor a Refugee: A $40 Donation Pays One Visa Application fee – July 2017

Please consider donating to AFFMA on behalf of your friends and relatives this year.  While donations of any amount are greatly appreciated, a gift of $40 will pay the visa application fee for one refugee.

Unlike most charitable organisations, AFFMA is run entirely by volunteers. Every cent of your donation will go to keeping our door open to the refugees that we serve. This year, give a refugee a chance for a new life in Australia.

Donations can be made securely to AFFMA through PayPal by accessing the following link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=C9PXK25WLWR7J

In the news – June 2017

Global

At Home

Elizabeth Wright
BComn(Griffith), MHumRights(Curtin)

What does the 2017 budget mean for refugees?

Limited resources to address the global refugee crisis

The Refugee Council of Australia said that the refugee intake has increased slightly, but a humane solution to resettlement was not in the cards. In contrast, Canada has taken an inclusive approach towards refugees, resettling 40,000 people in 2016.

The Canadian model is focused on community sponsorship, with local communities cooperating to support new arrivals. Australia’s community support program is focused on shifting costs. For instance, sponsors are responsible for paying a bond and visa application fee, which has the potential to create tensions between refugees and their sponsors.

Detention centre funding

The Government has allocated $1.91 billion to immigration detention centres. The inhumane conditions at these facilities have been well-documented. Self-harm, suicide, and severe psychological distress are all too common, and yet the Government has allocated more money to a failing approach.

Australia needs to reconsider its policies, and perhaps look at what other countries, such as Canada, are doing. We cannot forget the reason why refugees flee their homelands. We cannot turn a blind eye to the negative impacts of mandatory detention. This is not a viable approach to the global refugee crisis.

Ariza Arif
BA (UNSW), LLB (Macquarie University) – Student at law.