PIA NEWS VOL.

Issue 15

As we start final planning for the Eid event and dinner on 8th August, please note that the nominations for
Making us Proud initiative will close on 30th July, 2015 so if you want to nominate someone please submit
through email, a 50 100 word brief as to why the nominated person deserves recognition.
Nominations are also now open for;
a. Australian of the Year Award
b. Pride of Australia Medal
c. Seniors Awards
so please do not hesitate to nominate people who deserve recognition.
We are also trying to create a pool of friends who can take time, once a month in most of the cases to go
to court with the victim of domestic violence. This small gesture will be welcomed highly by the victim
who is all alone and in many cases with little knowledge of English. The situation becomes more stressful
when she has to face spouse and his family in the court. If we have a pool of 5 to 6 women we can rotate
among ourselves and help victims.
Finally thank you very much for all the Eid wishes that have been sent to us. Our next collaboration is
now with Collaborative Communities Network to support the earthquake relief efforts in Nepal. Hon.
Liz Behjat and Margaret Quirk with other dignitaries will attend the event scheduled for 1st August at
Macedonian Community Centre.

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 15

NEW ADDRESS FOR HIGH COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN IN CANBERRA

High Commission for Pakistan has moved to its Newly Constructed Building
High Commission for Pakistan is moving to its own newly constructed Chancery Building next week. The
new address is: 4 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 and the Telephone number will be: + 61 2
62731114.
Consular services will be temporarily unavailable from July 15 -22, 2015 and will resume normal services
after Eid Holidays i.e from Thursday, July 23, 2015.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO CITIZENSHIP ACT

On Sunday 19th July, we attended a discussion forum regarding proposed changes to citizenship act
arranged by Hon. Alannah MacTiernan. Matthew Keogh, the President of the Law Society of WA provided
a brief overview of the proposed changes and their implications for dual citizens. From the discussion that
followed the presentation among communities leaders and the members of the public, it was clearly
evident that there is complete lack of engagement from the Commonwealth of Australia on significant
changes that are proposed and affecting many citizens who may be completely unaware that they are
actually dual citizens.
From the Pakistanis in Australia we have proposed that all the submissions that have been received in
response to proposed changes should be made public. The matter is now before the Joint Committee on
Intelligence and Security who will report on 21st August.

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 15

HON. MIKE NAHAN PLANNING AN EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN

As we start getting back to normal work routine after
celebration of Eid, the rallies across Australia to Reclaim
Australia fand Anti-Racism are matters of concern for every
Australian who wants to live in harmony. There is a dire need
to sit across the table and come up with strategies that resolve
the issue rather than providing fuel to a very sensitive issue.
The greater responsibility lies on politicians and other
stakeholders to come together.
The WA Government is planning an extensive campaign1 to
improve the wider community's understanding of Islam and
Muslims. Minister for Multicultural Interests Mike Nahan outlined the plan after weekend rallies between
anti-Islamic and anti-racism groups in Perth and other state capitals. There is growing tensions between
people on one side who are looking to be xenophobic, and on the other side, who like revolt," he said. Dr
Nahan described WA as a successful multicultural community, but said more needed to be done to
reduce that tension." It's absolutely vital that we have [the campaign]," he said. "Islam is a peace-loving
religion, a major part of our multicultural society, and we need to encourage and understand, and have
the community understand that. The campaign will be rolled out over the next six months and aims to
increase the dialogue and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Dr Nahan said the program
would have a simple goal."[To] make sure that the wider public know Islam, know Islamic leaders, get to
know the community and its importance and character." The Government has yet to release details of
the campaign.
CHANGE OF HEART
It was a matter of great relief for us to see Hon. Luke Simpkins at Chand Raat Festival praising Muslims
and Muslim community. It is the same honorable member whose comments about halal food have been
very offensive to Muslim community and we welcome his comments at the event. We do hope that he
will also use his social media to make his views public so his followers get the message that there is no
harm on eating halal food.
The change of heart has also been very prominent at the WAs peak body Ethnic Communities Council of
Western Australia whose Senior Vice President represented ECCWA at the recent Police Commissioners
morning tea in June raising concerns about Islamophobia and ethnic communities. This was the very

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-20/wa-government-plans-islam-community-campaign/6634042

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 15

issue that ECCWA refused to acknowledge as an ethnic issue few months back which led PIA withdraw its
members from the Management committee. We sincerely hope that both ECCWA and Hon. Luke
Simpkins will now publicly work with Muslim communities and Hon. Mike Nahan so Muslim ethnic
communities feel safe in Australia.

EID AND INDEPENDENCE DAY 2015

The Early Bird closes on 25th July so please reserve your tickets now @ 25 dollars each. Please note that
although kids under 10 are free, we have now only five seats avaialble so please confirm with us before
you purchase tickets. For tickets go to:
http://www.trybooking.com/IHGJ
The final program will be available in the next issue which will be circulate don 2nd August as we are
waiting for the confirmation from our invited guests.

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITIES NETWORK: Together for a cause

LED by FILLIPINO AUSTRALIAN MULTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/helping-hands-tickets-17557789822

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 15

PIA NEWS VOL.5 | Issue 15