Seeking asylum in Australia is not illegal. Current policies that seek to 'stop the boats' by treating those who land here extremely harshly are causing great harm.

As of May 2015 there are:

138 children in immigration detention facilities on the Australian mainland

81 children  in detention on Nauru (Papua New Guinea)

Major reports from organisations such as the UN and Australia's own National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention document multiple incidents of sexual and other abuse as well as psychological and physical harm in our detention centres.

Recent changes to Australian law, passed with bipartisan support, make it illegal for doctors, nurses, and other professionals working in detention centres to speak out publicly about such abuse, despite it being mandatory for such professionals to report suspected abuse for all other children in Australia. This is not fair, just, humane, or appropriate treatment of children (or adults), regardless of circumstances.

Our concern over the current treatment of asylum seekers in Australia, combined with the goal of staying fit & healthy, has resulted in the registration of a team for the  2015 Pub 2 Pub Charity Fun Run & Festival called 'Running on Compassion'

We would love you to support us and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) by making a secure donation &/or joining our team.

The ASRC practically support asylum seekers in the community as well as advocating for positive compassionate change in our policies on 'border protection'.

Click 'Donate Now' to make a secure online donation.

But, most of all, please find out the facts, and then talk to your neighbours and friends about what is happening to asylum seekers who come to Australia for help. We can do better than this.