As signatories to the #DialItDownDutton petition we are keen to keen to keep you updated on related activities.

The National Justice Project team works strategically and tirelessly to bring access to justice for many asylum seekers and refugees who’ve spent years wasting away in offshore detention at the hands of our cruel Australian immigration policies – those that came out of the determent that Peter Dutton led for so many years.

The Federal Government has always disputed that they have any duty of care to offshore detainees. But we fundamentally disagree.

With the help of our supporters like you, we are raising vital funds to run two important test cases to prove that this duty exists in law.

Please consider donating to our #fearlesslyfighting campaign here which will enable us to deliver these two test cases.

Our test cases involve children who have histories of mental illnesses caused during their time in offshore immigration detention.

These are children who witnessed traumatic events whilst detained by our Government on Nauru. Children who, over the many years detained required mental health treatment but did not receive the care required. Children detained in prison-like environments, playing with rocks.

One child was separated from their parent and the Government knew the only way for them to get better was for reunification – but this did not happen. This pre-teen child attempted suicide, requiring intensive therapy in the detention centre units.

The Australian Government did not help them, although they knew all of this.

A few years later, the child deteriorated severely and attempted suicide again – as did their siblings. The Australian Government still did not help the children, although they knew all of this too.

From this time on, there were regular suicide attempts, and the development of severe resignation syndrome, where the child lost a significant amount of body weight within a short period of time. That was when the National Justice Project filed proceedings to help them receive appropriate medical care which required a transfer from Nauru to Australia.

It is unjustifiable that the leaders in our government, who had the power to change these policies could know this was going on and could carry about with their own life letting it happen to somebody else.

We HAVE to act.

We HAVE to do something.

If it is found that the Government has a duty of care to those in offshore detention, it could make the Government question the continued use of the offshore detention centres. 

Put simply, these important test cases will provide the only legal basis for the courts to intervene to protect the welfare of these vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees.

Can you help us? By supporting our #fearlessly fighting campaign.