Compassionate Bastard

Series

Law & Order Week

Where

The Wheeler Centre

When

Monday, 7 Nov 2011, 06:15pm - 07:15pm

Event Status

Past event

Despite their differences, both of our major parties profess to share a common approach to illegal boat arrivals: lock them up and send them somewhere – anywhere – else. But, after years of incarceration, most illegal boat arrivals are granted refugee status. It’s this mix of indifference and compassion that makes the issue such a divisive one.

In this event, Peter Mitchell, formerly manager of Villawood Detention Centre, is in conversation with David Manne, one of Australia’s most committed refugee advocates, and broadcaster Peter Mares.

Featuring

Peter Mitchell

David Manne

Peter Mares

Featuring

Peter Mitchell

Peter Mitchell worked for the Department of Immigration from 1990 to 2003, including time spent as manager of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Peter is the author of a memoir of his time with the Department of Immigration, Compassionate Bastard. He’s a singer, songwriter, poet and trave... Read more

David Manne

David Manne is a human rights lawyer and Executive Director of Refugee Legal (previously the Refugee & Immigration Legal Centre (RILC)). He has worked in various capacities assisting refugees and asylum seekers for over 20 years. In January 2001, he joined Refugee Legal, at the forefront of defe... Read more

@david_manne

Peter Mares

Peter Mares is lead moderator with The Cranlana Programme, an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing the ethical decision-making skills of Australia’s leaders. Peter is also contributing editor at Inside Story magazine and adjunct fellow at Swinburne University’s Centr... Read more

@MaresPeter