HUNDREDS of people gathered to hear the stories of refugees at the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Refugee activist Julian Burnside QC, author Najaf Mazari and local Karen refugees talked about their perspectives on asylum seekers for the Our refugee story event.
More than 250 people listened to a discussion by panel members Bendigo Bank's National Community Strengthening manager Chris DeAraugo, Mt Alexander Shire mayor Michael Redden, Mr Burnside, Bendigo councillor Mark Weragoda and Keech Australia chief executive Dr Herbert Hermens.
The panel discussion was a popular element of the day held at the Bendigo Library.
The panel event was re-located from the library to the Town Hall to cater to ticket demand.
The panel discussion aimed to put a human face to the asylum seeker issue.
It discussed Mr Burnside's proposal for a policy change.
The proposal plans to enable refugees to live in rural communities while they await the outcome of their claim for asylum, following appropriate security checks.
The discussion considered the benefits as well as the implications of his proposal.
In his initial speech Mr Burnside spoke about how to empower rural and regional Australian towns.
"How can we give them a fair go like?" he said.
Mr Burnside asked listeners the question - how can we treat them decently?
He said there needed to be a drastic change in the way refugees were treated.
It was organised by the Bendigo arm of Rural Australians for Refugees.
Event planning committee convener Gillian Wells said they had not expected the interest in the panel event.
"He makes the issues so clear," she said.
"He say things that really resonate with people.
"He shows them they have a right to seek asylum."
She said a photography exhibition in the library gave visitors insight.