WHO WE ARE

A Just Australia - our history

A Just Australia was launched in July 2002 as a national policy lobby group campaigning for just policies and programs for refugees and asylum seekers.

A Just Australia brings together over 11,500 individual supporters, 120 non-governmental organisations and over 70 prominent Australian Patrons.

A Just Australia campaigns for policies toward refugees and asylum seekers that at all times reflects respect, decency and traditional Australian generosity to those in need, while advancing Australia’s international standing and national interests. We seek just and compassionate treatment of refugees, consistent with the human rights standards that Australia has developed and endorsed.

This campaign incorporates a series of public awareness activities including: lobbying in Canberra both to the Minister as well as individual politicians, public events & meetings, research and analysis on current issues for our monthly newsletter keeping advocates and supporters informed of the latest developments and actions they can take to help the campaign. Our members, patrons and other refugee support organisations and individuals have contributed to the campaign by providing resources and active pubic awanress raising.

Merger with Refugee Council

On 14 December 2009, members of A Just Australia (AJA) voted in favour of a motion to merge with RCOA. The merger, supported overwhelmingly by AJA members, brings together two of the most significant independent voices on refugee policy. RCOA will retain its formal structure but will incorporate AJA as its public education and advocacy wing.

AJA National Coordinator Kate Gauthier has joined RCOA’s staff as Communications Manager, while AJA Deputy Chair, Phil Glendenning, and former AJA Board Member Dr Judyth Watson, have joined the RCOA Board.

The combination of RCOA’s resources and policy expertise and AJA’s campaigning and advocacy experience will widen our national networks and enhance our capacity to act in the interests of asylum seekers and refugees.

Utilising the policy expertise of RCOA, AJA will now be able to concentrate on our core skills, of public awareness raising and positive engagement with the media.

For more information please see www.ajustaustralia.com.