Batingaw - Issue 40

January - February 2019

Issue 40

News, views and analysis from Migrante Australia BATINGAW; BELL; HERALD; The Voice of Filipino Migrants in Australia

IN THIS EDITION ◆ L owering the age of criminal liability ◆ Invasion Day statement ◆ Border activists successfully push for ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

refugee rights ILPS supports Venezuela against the usurper backed by US and ultra-reactionaries Australian Immigration Law: what are the changes in 2019 Educational discussion on PSR Stop the attacks We are at home in the world End of the year celebrations

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Lowering the age of criminal liability: added scheme in the systematic disregard for youth’s welfare and human rights

By Geril Lumawig

Lowering the age of criminal liability sounds absurd in a country notoriously known for having a culture of impunity. At the same time, it is a manifestation of a society that protects those in positions of power from our judicial system. However we may look at it, impunity is a fundamental flaw in the Philippine judicial system which automatically discredits any notion of morality that the government may have in regards to justice. It is not surprising that the Duterte administration would permit the age of criminal liability to be lowered because we all know too well that this administration does not discriminate between children and adults when it comes to its frenzied rampages of murder and destruction.

How many children have been murdered under this administration’s “war on drugs” and “insurgency campaigns”? How many times has the President threatened to bomb Lumad children should they dare assert their basic right to education? This is not new; in fact it is embedded in our social and political system even before Rodrigo Duterte came into power. The State has been neglecting children for as long as it has existed, denying them the very essence of their childhood, which is to be children.

I went to school regularly and I could fill my stomach atleast three times a day during my childhood in

a small town located in Pampanga.

I also had a significant amount of time dedicated to leisure in which I would get together with my friends and play, and from now and then cause a little mischief. But it was when those times were over, when we have exhausted our energy playing Patintero under the blistering heat of the sun that I noticed subtle differences between me and my playmates. The home they retreated to and the clothes we wore always reminded me that my comfortable

life is merely a privilege, and not a right every child in my neighbourhood was entitled to. There were particular moments in my childhood, which would seem rather insignificant, that have defined reality for me at an early age. One of them was when one of my friends was “it” for many consecutive rounds of tumbang preso. He was sweating furiously, angry at the fact that we have all banded together to keep him in the same position until the game is over. He waited patiently for

one of us to make a mistake, and sure enough I did. You could see the relief and joy in his eyes as he finally joined the other side after a frustrating stint as “it”. He was getting ready to throw his slipper into the label-stripped can when suddenly his Mother yelled out his name and told him that it was time for him to fill up buckets of water at somebody else’s house because they didn’t have running water of their own.

He didn’t try to protest, but you can sense the feeling of disappointment as he left our game and confronted his reality, which have been imposed to many children by a semi-feudal and a semi-colonial society.

These kinds of instances have been normalised through centuries of exploitation and poverty, to a point that you often would never sense its abnormality in the Philippines. For me, that particular event allowed me to witness the forced marriage of childhood and adulthood in Philippine society. A sudden break in a Filipino child’s life that sees the merging, and often invasion, of responsibility over innocence.

Another instance which have allowed me to grasp the reality of millions of Filipino children happened right before I immigrated to Australia.

My friend and I were sitting in a tricycle right in front of his house when his Father came out and approached us. As his father settled

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beside us, my friend expressed his desire of going into a local state university (this was before K-12). His father asked how much it would cost while telling him at the same time a number (I don’t remember the exact amount) which was all they could afford. Unfortunately, with tuition and other miscellaneous fees, the final cost exceeded the amount his Father had the ability to pay.

His father advised him to just get a job as I watched in my friend the Filipino dream shatter right before my very eyes. Along with the age of criminal liability being lowered, this particular occasion reflects the institutionalised nature of neglecting our nation’s future. A result of a system that encourages and promotes the hegemony of Capital over the welfare of the people and the state’s reluctance to address the roots of poverty.

For me, anecdotes like this are crucial to the discussion. Because if the government insists on criminalising our children, one must bring up the question of education and scrutinise this administration’s priorities. Sure, the current administration has taken some steps to ease the burden of tuition fees on school children and parents. However, with the selective process ,continuing fee increases and the constant harassment of indigenous schools, free universal education still remains as a dream to be achieved. Surely, one of the

best ways to reduce the minuscule, almost insignificant, amount of children committing crimes is to educate them, not incarcerate them.

So instead of the dialogue being focused on placing our children inside jail cells, maybe we should shift the discussion to putting all of them in classrooms.

The memories I have of my childhood are still very fresh to me, perhaps because I am still living through its remnants or that I am still very much a child myself at my present age of 17. My development as an individual an as a collective member of society has been significant throughout the

years. To this day I am still growing and learning. As I reflect on my childhood, I have realised that I was immature, unaware of the consequences of my actions and could have easily been manipulated by circumstances and other people. In other words, I was a child. Therefore

by criminalising children who are still in development, not only are we committing an immoral act, we are also intentionally stunting the growth of our children, handicapping the next generations to come.

The lowering of the age of criminal liability violates international children’s rights and disparages the role of socio-economic conditions in developing children’s behaviour.

When addressing the issue, it is important to keep in mind that this is not an isolated attack on the Filipino children. This proposed change is a perpetuation of the system, which in nature is apathetic to the wellbeing of children. This is also a testament to the Duterte administration’s superficial handling of societal issues and the vile nature of its policies. It would seem that the President is not content until he has repressed all the sectors of Philippine society. From his murderous war on drugs against the urban poor, misogynist tirades against women, red-tagging of political activists and human rights advocates to the lowering of the age of criminal liability, everyone is fair play. Amidst these attacks however, the answer remains the same: form the broadest united front that would resist the fascist regime and bring down the system robbing Filipino children of their childhoods.

About Batingaw

Migrante Australia Publisher of A member of Migrante International PO Box 606, Laverton, Victoria 3028 Email: batingaw.migrante@gmail.com

Batingaw is a bi-monthly newsletter expressing views, news and analysis from Migrante Australia. An important aspect of developing this newsletter is an intimate knowledge of and close involvement in all aspects of the Philippine and Australian struggles for justice, democracy and fair-go.

Contributing to Batingaw: Articles, photographs, cartoons, clippings, comments or a few lines are all very welcome. All material should be sent electronically to: batingaw.migrante@gmail. com. Readers are encouraged to contribute whatever they can by sending donations to the above address.

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Invasion Day statement Invasion Day statement 26 January 2019

26 January 2019

Philippine Caucus for Philippine Peace acknowlof oppression. is fundamental to the wider struggle Caucus for Peace acknowledges the sovereignty, culture and country of the Wurundjeri people Nation where wethat meetthe andgenocide work, and all Aboriginal and Torres edges the sovereignty, culture andof the Kulin We acknowledge to eliminate racism, colonialism and Strait indigenous peoples of this continent. country of the Wurundjeri people of Australia’s Indigenous peoples and imperialism.

We encourage all members of the of the Kulin Nation where meet tothe of past, theirpresent lands We givewe our respects theirdispossession elders and warriors andas emerging.

We remember and that theirbeing sovereignty this land was neverlater ceded, and that struggles against and work, and all Aboriginal the ofgenesis of the day Filipino and Australian community in colonialism in all its forms are continuing.

Torres Strait indigenous peoples of policies attempting to assimilate/ Australia and internationally to stand this continent. migrant communities andrights with and Torres Strait As a group, in solidarityalienate with the Filipino people’s struggle for human and the socialAboriginal justice, we also stand with Indigenous peoples in both Australia and the Philippines fighting back We give our respects to their launch imperialist interventions people’s fight for justice on Invasion systems of oppression. abroad, on the foundations of Day – January 26. elders and warriorsagainst past,unjust present and emerging. colonialism its continued We stand ofwith indigenous We acknowledge that the genocide ofand Australia's Indigenousfrontier peoples and the dispossession peoples in their struggle for Self We remember that their sovereignty wars. their lands as being the genesis of the later day policies attempting to assimilate/alienate migrant communities and launch imperialist interventions abroad, on the foundations of of this land was never ceded, and that No migrant community can achieve Determination and Liberation this colonialism and its continued frontier wars. struggles against colonialism in all its justice without the First Nations of Invasion Day 2019. country regaining central forms are continuing.No migrant community this can achieve justice without thetheir First Nations of this country regaining their central place owners of the lands on which of we the stand. Indigenous Sovereignty Never As a group, in solidarity with theas traditional place as traditional owners Ceded!

Filipino people’s struggle for human lands on which we stand.

We understand that our support as communities in resistance to all forms of injustice faced by We understand that our support rights and social justice, we also Indigenous people in Australia and the Philippines is fundamental to the wider struggle toControl of Aboriginal Aboriginal resistance to all Affairs! eliminate racism, in colonialism and imperialism.in as communities stand with Indigenous peoples both Australia and the Philippines forms of injustice faced by Indigenous Stop the encourage all members of the Filipino and Australian community in Australia and Killings! fighting back againstWe unjust systems people in Australia and the Philippines internationally to stand with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait people’s fight for justice on Invasion Day – January 26.

We stand with indigenous peoples in their struggle for Self Determination and Liberation this Invasion Day 2019.

Indigenous Sovereignty Never Ceded!

Aboriginal Control of Aboriginal Affairs!

Stop the Killings!

-------------- ------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- ------- P O Box 606, Laverton 3028

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Border activists successfully push for refugee rights

By Joseph Lumanog

Albury Wodonga’s small yet tightly knit community of refugee rights and human rights activists made their presence felt in a protest action on 8 February. The “silent rally” targeted Cathy McGowan MP to push her to “break her silence” on the Urgent Medical Treatment Bill. Widely covered by local media, the gathering of 50 participants included former refugees, human rights advocates, faith-based organisations, the local Greens branch, and the Philippines-Australia Solidarity Association Albury-Wodonga (PASA-AW).

A few days later, on 12 February, McGowan voted with Labor, the Greens, and other independent MPs to pass the bill in the House of Representatives.

The measure seeks to amend current migration laws and allow the transfer of refugees to Australia for urgent medical treatment. If legislated, the new policy will give doctors an independent voice to

make medical decisions for asylum seekers suffering from life-threatening conditions.

As of this writing, the bill will be returned to the Senate, where it is expected to be approved.

Since the bill was proposed in December, McGowan has been criticised for “fence-sitting” by many of her constituents in the rural electorate of Indi (which includes Wodonga). The outcome of 12 February demonstrated the importance of independent MPs like McGowan. The House vote also exposed the political weaknesses of the Coalition government under Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Many analysts have pointed out that this the first time in 90 years that the government has lost a vote on its own legislation.

Beginning in late 2017, PASA-AW has actively engaged in grassroots campaigns like Change the Rules,

as well as contact building with labour unions, human rights groups, cooperatives, and NGOs. Convenor Berlin Guerrero notes, “Over the past year, we have clearly seen that the communities of the Border are committed to social justice, human rights, and peace. There’s great potential for broadening and deepening our solidarity work here.

The success of the Urgent Medical Treatment bill in the House is a step in the right direction. For now, we feel grateful and encouraged by the public support we have received. “ To support the advocacy and solidarity activities of PASA-AW, please like and follow the Facebook page www.facebook.com/pasa. alburywodonga.

Photo credits:Border Mail AWECC (Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council)

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COMMUNITY A D V I S O RY

By Reyvi Mariñas

Australian immigration law: what are the changes in 2019?

It is with great pleasure to write a community advisory update for this issue of Batingaw. As a legal practitioner and researcher, I am passionate about changes in the law, particularly in the area of Australian immigration law, as it impacts on the lives of many Filipinos in Australia and their families back home.

In this issue, I will highlight the new visa changes that are likely to be implemented this year, or if not, in the near future. There are actually many changes that will be introduced in 2019, and this column is intended to become a regular feature that provides community advisory update for overseas Filipinos. But for this issue, I will explain the changes in relation to the new sponsorship framework for family visas and the impact of longer processing times and delay on family sponsored visa category.

New sponsorship framework The Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2018 has now been passed in the Australian parliament to provide extra requirements for people seeking to sponsor family members under family sponsored visas.

The main feature of this new framework is that it creates a two-stage application procedure, which requires first the assessment of the sponsorship. Once the sponsorship is approved, then the visa application can be lodged.

This is a very tough rule which means that the lodgement of the visa application may be delayed until a family sponsorship application is approved. For instance, if your student visa or tourist visa is expiring in a month or two, you cannot lodge an onshore partner visa application.

You must wait for the approval of the sponsorship, which could take a few months to process given that, nowadays, it is taking a long time to process a partner visa application (see the second major changes below).

This new framework also shows a significant departure from any past and present sponsorship regime, such as those for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, where sponsorship application and visa application can be lodged at the same time.

One of the primary objectives of the new sponsorship framework is to extend the government’s power to scrutinise sponsors with a violent criminal history, particularly those who have a history of family violence.

This new framework would also extend to a new temporary sponsored parent visa that will allow parents of migrants to stay in Australia for a period of up to five years.

Under this new parent visa, the applicant can ask for a three-year visa for a fee of $5,000 or a five-year visa for $10,000—a very expensive lodgement fee which many migrants may not be able to afford.

Sponsors of this parent visa would have to ensure that their parents have health insurance and do not incur any healthcare cost to Australian taxpayers. This would certainly put a heavy burden and discouragement to sponsors as ‘legally-bound’ financial guarantors.

Longer processing times and delay The above change on sponsorship requirement has a profound impact on processing times and waiting period for applicants who applied under family sponsored visas.

As a result of this two-stage process of sponsorship and visa application, it means that there would be more waiting time for partner visa application because both applicants and sponsors will have to go through a rigorous process of internal checking regarding their identity, character, travel history, employment and so on. Yet, even before these new changes were introduced, partner visas were already taking nearly 18 months to process for offshore applications and up to 25 months (nearly two years) for onshore applications.

One of the main reasons for this long processing period has been the result of the government’s cut in the migration intake. According to the government’s report, Australia’s annual permanent migration intake in 2017-2018 has been reduced to 162,417, which is well below the 190,000 places

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planned in the budget.

The previous Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton argues that this cut to the migration intake is indeed necessary to weed-out “applications lodged by individuals with complex immigration histories, including extensive travel histories, unsuccessful visa applications and/ or periods of being unlawful in Australia.”

This entails increased scrutiny that includes more character and bona fides checks, which would further result into more delays and longer processing times.

The other major reason is related to the present culture of ‘securitisation’ and ‘border control’ which impacts on the way resources and budget are allocated within the Department of Immigration, this department has now become part of the ‘superministry’ Department of Home Affairs which combines various government agencies, including immigration and citizenship, customs and border control, national security and counter-terrorism and multicultural affairs.

It is apparent that outsourcing of public service and prioritisation of resources to border security

and terrorism (rather than the visa processing) is the main goal of the current Australian government. It is revealed that “more than 250 public servants at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection face sack as the department moves to outsource its key call centres to a private operator.”

Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzulo told the Senate committee that the Department’s stance on border protection is of paramount importance, saying that even if more staff and funding becomes available it will most likely not be used to improve visa processing times.

It is worrying to see that administrative measures such as these are being used to slow the processing of visa applications for political reasons.

Conclusion To conclude, it appears that these changes are nothing new but the continuation of the government’s cling to neoliberal strategy of ‘economic rationalisation’ on Australia’s migration program. We are witnessing a complete overhaul of the migration policy that select migrants

who are young, skilled, mobile, with excellent English language, and are able to quickly contribute to the Australian economy. In the government’s point of view, migrants who do not fit within this ‘ideal’ model is therefore undeserving and unworthy to become a member of Australian society. Indeed, Australian permanent residency and Australian citizenship come with a high price.

Despite all these changes, migration to Australia will continue. But what we need is a new perspective that puts human being (the migrant) at the centre of the discussion, rather than the state’s focus on profitmaking, criminalisation of migrant community and border control.

References: Button, James, ‘Dutton’s Dark Victory’, The Monthly (February 2018) Department of Home Affairs, Annual Report 2017-2018 (May 2017) Mares, Peter, ‘Migration by numbers’, Inside Story (5 November 2018) Towell, Noel, ‘Hundreds of public servants face sack as Immigration outsources visa centres’, The Sydney Morning Herald (16 May 2017)

We are at home in the world by: Ka Tesa

Though you are seldom near me Your boundless love is ever felt in the comforts of the masses And when faced with danger from the enemy The embers burning inside us assure us we are in our safest Because the beating of our hearts is a call to arms It calls on us to leap into gunfire and wage our struggle!

Where the greatest love is found in the people’s war This outpouring love that is done in serving the people.

Our love has travelled vast distances Traversed mountains, rivers, islands, and oceans Changing the world in each advance Guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism!

With this compass, we are never lost With this love, we shall never lose Victory is ours, no matter how heavy the cost Crushing the enemy under the heel of our boots!

And when we are together We are ever much stronger Our unity is love itself unbound With such resolve, we shall never falter.

But no matter where we are, Wherever our struggle leads us We will always be together Because like what the great poet, Jose Maria Sison, has once said, ‘we are at home in the world.’

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Stop the Attacks!

Statement of Movement Against Tyranny – Australia The Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) – Australia condemns in strongest terms the killing of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Peace Consultant Randy Malayao last 30 January. A political prisoner and a human rights activist, Malayao was gunned down while in a bus in Nueva Vizcaya.

The murder of Malayao took place in the context of the Philippine government’s intensified crackdown on activists, human rights workers, and peace advocates through extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, and trumped-up charges. Within the same week, the police has fabricated charges on Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Northern Mindanao Region Chairperson Ireneo Udarbe along with Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization Datu Jomorito Goaynon, falsely tagging them as members of the New People’s Army.

Moreover, the bodies of two Lumad farmers that have been declared missing last week after soldiers

opened fire at them and their other companions were shown to the public by the Philippine Army.

The country is continuously subjected to a reign of terror by an administration that maximises the use of violent means to consolidate its fascist rule.

The government’s violent response to activist and resistance movements clearly demonstrates its lack of willingness to pay heed to the legitimate concerns of the Filipino people. Instead of properly addressing the socio-economic contradictions that are the roots of the long-running communist revolution through socio-economic policies and reforms directed toward the resolution of the issues of land reform, national industrialisation, and economic sovereignty, the regime of Rodrigo Duterte chooses militarist counterinsurgency programs that offer nothing but massive displacement, human rights violations, and suffering for the Filipino people. Meanwhile, the threat of nationwide martial rule continues to loom over the country, especially with the coercive manoeuvres of

the Philippine congress to railroad charter change to fully advance the interests of the country’s elite and foreign powers.

The death of Malayao – and all the others who have sacrificed their lives as activists committed to defending the rights and welfare of the Filipino people – signifies that while the government can and will use violence in its desperation to curb dissent, more and more people will continue to take up the cause for peace based on social justice.

It is their shining example that strengthens the people’s movement, inspiring us to remain unwavering and persistent in the fight against the political forces that threaten the democratic liberties of the Filipino people.

Justice for Randy Malayao!

Justice for all the victims of Duterte’s fascism!

Stop the Attacks!

Contact: Jen Binegas (MAT-Australia Convenor) Mobile: 0412 562 902 Email: jbinegas@gmail.com

Educational discussion on Philippine Society and Revolution held An educational discussion on the Philippine Society and Revolution was held on 26 January at Ross House.

Sponsored by Anakbayan-Melbourne, Advanced League of Peoples Artists (ALPA) and Philippine Studies Network in Australia (PINAS), the discussion focused on the history of the peoples’ struggle in the Philippines, and the enduring impact of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism on the semi-colonial and semi-feudal condition of the Philippine society. It was attended by Filipinos and Filipino-Australians. The activity is part of the ongoing educational campaigns of these organisations to highlight the important issues affecting Filipinos here and abroad.

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ILPS supports Venezuela against the usurper backed

by US and ultra-reactionaries

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison Chairperson, International League of Peoples’ Struggle January 24, 2019 We, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle, vigorously support the democratically elected and newly inaugurated President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and vehemently condemn Juan Guaido, who has proclaimed himself the “interim president” of Venezuela in a brazen coup attempt.

Guaido is merely the stooge of US imperialism and the representative of the ultra-reactionaries in Venezuela.

We therefore hold the US the most responsible for his unconstitutional and undemocratic act, and we praise and support President Maduro for breaking off diplomatic relations with the interventionist US government.

US imperialism is most interested in acquiring the huge oil wealth of Venezuela, whose proven oil

reserves amount to 300,878 millions of barrels. This is far bigger than those of Saudi Arabia at 286,455; Iraq at 142,503; Russia at 80,000; and Libya at 48,000.

The US government has long been waging a campaign of destabilization against the Maduro presidency by imposing sanctions, freezing the assets of Venezuela abroad and threatening a coup d’etat and military intervention by the US and its puppets in the Organization of American States.

But the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, especially the workers and other toilers, continue to be inspired by Chavismo and to follow the courageous leadership of Maduro in defense of national sovereignty, democracy and peace.

The armed forces and police of

Venezuela have reaffirmed their loyalty to President Maduro and have successfully acted against a minor military mutiny.

The broad masses of the people are thronging the cities of Venezuela to express their support to their President and condemn the US puppet Guaido and his US imperialist master. They are ever ready to resist with arms any serious coup attempt or foreign military intervention.

The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela has called the attention of the prosecution to the gross violation of Article 236, numerals 4 and 15, prohibiting the usurpation of the competence and powers of the President.

10 Issue 40

Migrante Australia – Victoria holds end-of-year celeb

By Katrina Tan

Migrante Australia – Victoria held its annual end-of-year celebration in typical Filipino fashion—with delicious Pinoy food, fun games, raffle draw and exchange of gifts.

But that’s not all. It was also an opportunity to share accomplishments of Migrante chapters and affiliated Filipino organizations in Victoria.

Members of Migrante chapters in North, Northwest, West, and East Melbourne, Gabriela, and Anakbayan attended the event held in late December at Point Cook. Members of newly formed groups namely, Samahang Tatak Pinoy (STP) Migrante Northeast, Advanced League of People’s Artist (ALPA), and Philippine Studies Network in Australia (Pinas), also joined the celebration.

During the program, each affiliated organization reported on its activities for the past year and announced plans for the

coming year. Notable activities in 2018 include fora on relevant issues, advocacy campaigns, protest rallies attended, launch of new organizations, and a few fundraising activities. Organizations also mounted big productions and special events.

Migrante Melbourne West and

ALPA reported on the successful production of a community theatre performance of I am/We Are in mid-2018. It examines the daily lives of Filipino, Karen and African migrants in Australia. ALPA, with the help of other Melbournebased organizations, also produced

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Almaata, a feature film about a Filipino-Australian doctor who went back to the Philippines in search of her parents’ bodies.

In October 2018, Gabriela held a successful gala dinner attended by Victorian politicians and members of Partner Migrants network as part of their advocacy campaign for the rights and welfare of partner migrants in Australia.

Scattered in various months last year, a number of fora were organized by various groups on important issues. Foremost of these issues relate to the country’s worsening political situation under Duterte administration, including human rights abuses, harassment of activists, and murder of militant leaders from different sectors.

Launched in 2018, the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) in Melbourne held a public forum on ‘Marawi Siege’ and the extended Martial Law in Mindanao. It has also sustained campaigns denouncing the massacre of farmers in Sagay, Negros Occidental and deportation of Sr. Patricia Fox, the Australian nun who spent 30 years helping the poor in the Philippines.

Pinas, an organization of Filipino students and researchers in Melbourne, shared to the group the forum and panel discussion it organized in November that both highlight the need to link research and other creative pursuits to community engagement.

Pinas and Anakbayan also updated

the attendees about the research it plans to conduct among FilipinoAustralian youth based in Melbourne.

Moreover, Migrante chapters reported the launch of Kapihan series with a forum on visa updates for new and temporary migrants and students. A new chapter of Migrante in Melbourne’s northeast, the Samahang Tatak Pinoy, was also launched in late 2018.

Migrante West and East reported on fundraising events they conducted in 2018, the Sausage Sizzle atBunnings and the Local Sundays in Murrumbeena, respectively. Both chapters plan to continue holding fundraising activities this year.

Other reports mentioned regular annual activities, such as Tipanan hosted by Migrante East last year.

This year, Migrante West will organize the said event.

Important upcoming events to look out for this year are the ILPS Congress in June that

will be held in Hong Kong, the roll out of AB-Pinas research on Filipino-Australian youth, inaugural activities of STP, and continued advocacy campaigns on issues affecting Filipinos, whether they are in Australia, Philippines or in other parts of the world.

12 Issue 40

Important Dates and Upcoming Events 20 January 2019 – Fund Raising Event “FIRST OF THE BBQ FUND RAISING EVENT OF MIGRANTE MELBOURNE EAST IN 2019” 4 - 7 PM, Murrumbeena Uniting Church, Murrumbeena, Victoria

13 April 2019 – Migrante Melbourne’s Tipanan 2019 – A family event “DANCE, MEET FRIENDS, SHARE AND ENJOY” 6 pm, Laverton Community Hub Function Room 95 -105 Railway Avenue, Laverton

14 February 2019 – One Billion Rising “DANCE & SING AGAISNT FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ON WOMEN & CHILDREN” Sydney, New South Wales

20 April 2019 – Health Forum “ADDRESSING VIRAL HEPATITIS AND LIVER CANCER AFFECTING OR MAY AFFECT FILIPINO FAMILIES” 2 pm, Laverton Community Hub Meeting Room 95 – 105 Railway Ave., Laverton

2 March 2019 – One Billion Rising “DANCE & SING AGAISNT FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ON WOMEN & CHILDREN” 4 – 6 PM, Northbridge PlazzaPerth, Western Australia 8 March 2019 – International Women’s Day 5.15 PM Supreme Court Gardens Perth, Western Australia 9 March 2019 – Gabriela Australia, Victoria Anniversary Celebration Details will be announced later

20 April 2019 – International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) Australia - National Conference Time & venue in Melbourne will be announced later 23 – 26 June 2019 – International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) 6th International Assembly (6thIA) “WIN A BRIGHT SOCIALIST FUTURE FOR HUMANITY, UNITE THE PEOPLE TO FIGHT AND END IMPERIALIST WAR, RACISM AND FASCISM!” Hong Kong (more details will be announced later)

“Defend Human Rights: Protect the Rights of Children in the Philippines.”

Tipanan 2019 Dance, meet friends, share and enjoy With guest performer

Come and join us and support Migrante’s advocacy program Saturday, April 13, 2019 6:00pm onwards Laverton Community Hub, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton, VIC 3028 (Melway map 53 10D)

Contacts: Eugene 0411 264 945 Joel 0478 736 466 Yvette 0424 185 448 Raul 0425 796 901 Danny 0452 667 244

Price: Adult: $15 Couple: $25 Children over 15 yrs old: $10 Children 15 yrs old & under: FREE Food and drinks available at the venue

GET INVOLVED! Name: ______________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ ______________________________________

Tel: ______________________________________

Email: ______________________________________ I would like to:  become a member of member organisations of Migrante Australia  be updated with information from Migrante Australia  donate to Migrante Australia

Migrante Australia is an alliance of community organisations of Filipino and Filipino-Australian migrants and workers in Australia. Migrante seeks to uphold and promote migrants welfare, workers and human rights. It addresses migration and settlement issues and deepens awareness of the causes of Filipino diaspora in over 200 countries.

SEND TO PO BOX 606, LAVERTON, VICTORIA 3028 Email: migrante@ilpsaustralia.com Contact us: George (Butch) 0413 041 514 (VIC); Mel 0414 247 154 (WA); Manny (Bebot) 0404 105 899 (NSW); Lina 0407 841 010 (NSW); Berlin 0499 303 911 (Albury-Wodonga); Steph 0422 171 969 (VIC)