Over several days in August of 2001 the Tampa incident marked a turning point in how Australia engaged with the refugee issue. John Howard used the SAS to prevent the freighter Tampa from landing asylum seekers on Christmas Island that it had rescued at sea, rescued at Australia's request no less.
Ten years later Australia continues to be the only country practicing mandatory detention of asylum seekers, and continues to violate the Refugee Convention by refusing the right to seek asylum. The Malaysian Solution is that latest disgraceful chapter in a long series of violations of the Refugee Convention, breaches of international law and even Australian domestic law.
Join us to voice our opposition to these policies and let the refugees detained in Perth detention centre that there are those of use in Australia who know what is being done to them is wrong.
End mandatory detention
Free the refugees
Transport available from East Perth Transport Centre, departing 1.30 PM near the footbridge.