We again thank Councillor Yvonne Weldon for taking the time to attend our dinner to Welcome us on behalf of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. It was an honour to have Cl Weldon join us on Gadigal Country and share her time so generously with us.

We were thrilled to have the fabulous Wendy Harmer as our special guest at this year’s dinner. A long-time activist, comedian, journalist, and steadfast supporter of human rights and civil liberties, Wendy brought her trademark wit and wisdom to the evening. 

We also thank the Hon Dr Meredith Burgmann for hosting our dinner. Meredith is a long time member of the Council and a constant defender of human rights and civil liberties. We are deeply grateful for her presence and for her ongoing commitment to the causes we hold dear.

Abishek Selvakumar only discovered he couldn’t attend university when he reached Year 12.

While his peers discussed potential courses and future offers, Selvakumar learned that his the Coalition government's 'fast-track' process had meant he and his mother have been on temporary visas for over a decade, barring him from higher education.

Selvakumar, who dreams of studying construction management, had said he feels excluded, "I honestly gave up on my exams because I didn’t see the point. I was really looking forward to it. I was excited about that and getting to learn the subject I was passionate about, but I couldn’t do it.".

This situation affects many others in Australia, where children of refugees on bridging visas either face exorbitant international student fees or are prohibited from studying altogether.

The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) wholeheartedly supports the establishment of a Truth and Justice Commission to address injustices suffered by First Nations Peoples in Australia. The proposed Bill, currently before a Parliamentary Inquiry, represents a crucial step towards implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart—a document NSWCCL endorses in full.

The Truth and Justice Commission, as outlined in the Bill, will have investigative powers to examine historic and ongoing injustices experienced by First Nations Peoples. Its primary aim is to provide recommendations to Parliament based on truth-telling about Australia's colonial history, paving the way for national reconciliation.  

Refugee children who have successfully completed their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and those who are currently preparing to sit their exams are facing insurmountable barriers in accessing higher education. These students, many of whom have no memory of living anywhere other than Australia, are being denied the opportunity to attend university on equal terms with their peers. Instead, those allowed to enrol are often categorised as foreign students, subject to exorbitant fees and additional restrictions.

This heartbreaking situation stems from the fact that these young people, despite calling Australia home for much of their lives, continue to live without permanent visas. For over 12 years—some even longer—they have been trapped in a bureaucratic limbo that strips them of basic liberties and opportunities.

Families impacted by the injustices of the devastating ‘fast track’ process or as part of the so-called ‘legacy caseload’ have children who simply want to attend university just like their peers. This temporary status affects every part of their lives, including their ability to get work or study, their access to services, and their ability to recover from their trauma.