A Josephite sister was arrested at one of several sit-ins by Christians and members of other faiths at MPs’ offices. The protesters were demanding changes to Australia's asylum seeker detention policies.
Sr Jan Barnett, Justice Coordinator for the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, was arrested with eight members of Love Makes A Way - which describes itself as “a movement of Christians seeking an end to Australia's inhumane asylum seeker policies through prayer and nonviolent love in action” - after participating in a prayer vigil at the North Sydney constituency office of Federal Treasurer (Chancellor of the Exchequer) Joe Hockey. The aim was to highlight the plight of children held in detention in Australia as well as off-shore on Nauru and Manus Island. Those held were released without charge.
“It is after great contemplation that I risk arrest here today,” Sr Jan said on the group’s Facebook page on 12 August. “I feel I can't leave without a commitment from the Government to release all children from detention and to resettle them in a safe and nurturing environment.”
Catholic schools in Sydney have pledged to provide free education to all refugees in archdiocesan schools.
At Mt Barker near Adelaide, a rabbi joined a prayer vigil at the electoral office of Liberal Party MP Jamie Briggs. Trespassing charges against seven protesters were dismissed by magistrate Brett Dixon, who reportedly told the group: “You are a credit to your faith and an inspiration ... I’ve no hesitation about letting you go without conviction or penalty.”
On 19 August, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, said there were 876 children in detention, including on Nauru, compared with 1,392 held in detention when the former Labor government lost office last September.
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