Rights QC to launch plan

PROMINENT barrister Julian Burnside will formally launch Greater Dandenong’s asylum seeker action plan next month.
Councillor Roz Blades said securing the “imprimatur” of Mr Burnside, QC, an outspoken advocate for asylum seekers and their human rights, was a coup.
“I’m just so pleased that an advocate to the degree of Julian Burnside is supporting Greater Dandenong and the people in our community.”
The council’s push for more federal funding for asylum seeker services is one plank of the three-year action plan.
Cr Blades said the document examined the issues facing asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Dandenong and the people who were helping them.
As part of the plan, the council is setting up an asylum seeker and refugee communities’ advisory committee.
Applications to join the committee close on 3 October.
For details visit www.greaterdandenong.com.