These people were fleeing terror. They arrived here and were prevented from seeking protection and often employment until November last year. Now applications have to be in by 1 October.

Applying requires filling out a 60 page form full of legalese and only available in English.

There is no second chance if they make just one mistake.The wait time for legal assistance which is not funded is up to 12 months.  

Most have already applied but there are still 7,500 people, including many children, waiting in the queue.

The fast tracking is compounding their stress and trauma.

I'm horrified that for purely political reasons these people are being demonised.  

Do we have to be so cruel to 7,500 of the 21 million refugees across the world just for political approval. 

It's not Australian. Give them a fair and reasonable chance to apply for protection.

As we approach National Reconciliation Week (NRW), it is a time to celebrate and share the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with all other Australians.

The week is showcased by various events including “Indigenous Round” in the AFL and other sporting leagues.

There are other community events focusing on bringing community together through dance, art and cultural activities.

This year we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum which saw 90 per cent of Australia's vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.  

We also acknowledge the 25th Anniversary that commemorates the High Court of Australia’s landmark Mabo decision in 1992, which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land.

I would encourage the wider community to get involved and see what events are on in the local area as we all need to embrace all other cultures in order to achieve reconciliation in the community.

More information can be found at: http://www.reconciliation.org.au/nrw/events/

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan has a lot to answer for.  She is part of the Andrews government cabinet, so she is equally responsible for the destruction of the CFA and volunteer fire fighter fiasco we now have.  The regional and rural areas of Victoria will be at risk every summer of being under resourced, and I think we should all be very worried. 

Children tend to take either after the mother's, or father's side of the family. They are naturally closer to the parent, whose genes they have inherited.

But regardless of this many prefer mother, who weened them and spent more time with them. The same applies to the relationship between the siblings.

As children are growing up, their character differences keep increasing and creating friction in the family. 

Some tend to oppose the authority of their parents and leave home early. This contributes to the number of them living in the streets.

Not having the support of their family, can lower their resistance towards any temptations.