Volume 3 Issue 10

Pakistanis in Australia Inc.

A newsletter of the community,

for the community and by the community

14th May 2013

From the Desk. It has been a long weekend as Pakistani nation voted. Although overseas

votes were not allowed yet, Pakistanis worldwide were keenly waiting for

the results. Our facebook page was fully active on the eve of election with

posts and heated arguments demonstrating the interests that was

generated in Australia. SBS Urdu Service was also broadcasting the

comments of Pakistanis living in Australia till yesterday. We now

congratulate Pakistan Muslim League and Pakistan Tehreek –e-Insaaf

emerging as the top two parties in National Assembly.

This year we will be participating in the Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on

23rd May and have set a modest target of 200 dollars.

You will also find news of classes for Islamic teaching held at UWA and a

school for young ones running in Yokine. We have also nominated one of

our members for Disability Advisory Council and on page 7 you will find the

contents of a letter that we have sent to the Hon. Ministers of WA

Parliament. And finally Men in Green are playing their final match tonight.

Contents: Page 1: From the Desk

Page 2: Men in Green

Assistance Scheme

Islamic school in Yokine

Page 3: A Peaceful heart

Page 4: Australia’s biggest morning tea

Page 5: DESIWA Screens movie

Sami Shah Performs in Perth

Page 6: HBF Run for a reason

Page 7: A letter to Hon. Ministers

Community Consultation

Page 8: Falafel Lunch at UNSW

46 Kanangra Crescent, Greenwood WA 6024. Ph. 0434841705, pakistanis.in.australia@gmail.com

Pakistanis in Australia Inc. is an incorporated group to support students and

migrants from Pakistan in their settlement and to initiate projects in Australia

and Pakistan that promote mutual collaboration between two countries and

promote a positive image of Pakistan and Australia

Vol. 3: Issue 10

2

MEN IN GREEN Men in Green PIA's cricket team in WA is playing indoor cricket summer seasons FINAL today. The game is at Striker Indoor Sports in Melville at 8:10 PM. You are welcome to come and support your team.

ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO END SOON

If you haven’t yet converted to digital TV and are eligible for the Household Assistance Scheme, there is still time to apply. The Scheme has been established to help eligible people on certain full rate pensions have equipment installed in their homes free-of-charge and provide in-home aftercare support for 12 months. You may be eligible if you have not yet switched to digital TV, have a working analog TV and receive the full rate of one of the following payments: • Age Pension • Disability Support Pension

ISLAMIC SCHOOL IN YOKINE Teacher: Br. Hafiz Qasim (20+ Years of Teaching experience - 12+ Years in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney and now in Perth) Ph# 0425 560 040

Location: 287 McDonald Street Yokine WA 6060 - Yokine Community Recreation Centre

Timings: 4:30 p.m. ~ 6:30 p.m. Days: Monday - Thursday

Expenses: All communal hiring facilities and expenses are covered - Ample free parking bays, No issues for Pick n Drop.

For More Info: Call Br. Hafiz Sahib: Ph.# 0425 560 040

Course structure and teaching guidelines are provided by Mufti Shabir (Southern River) www.tasheelseries.com.au - shabir@tasheelseries.com.au

Vol. 3: Issue 10

4

Vol. 3: Issue 10

5

Vol. 3: Issue 10

6

HBF RUN FOR A REASON

HBF Run for a reason is on Sunday the 26th May and the organsiers are also looking for volunteers to help on the day. So if you are not ready to take up the challenge do find some time to volunteer.

Vol. 3: Issue 10

7

LETTER TO HON. TROY BUSWELL MLA (Treasurer, Mister for Transport and Fisheries) AND HON. AJ SIMPSON MLA (Minister for Local Government, Community Services, Seniors and Volunteering, Youth)

We have sent a letter to the Honorable Ministers to consider an issue of urgent importance. If any of the memebrs

would like to send the same please do so.

Re: Request for public transport concessions for asylum seekers

There are approximately 1,020 asylum seekers living in the Western Australian community. A number of community service organizations provide support to uphold the health, dignity and wellbeing of asylum seekers. Due to financial hardship faced by asylum seekers, I respectfully request that public transport concessions be granted to all asylum seekers living in Western Australia.

The living allowance of asylum seekers ranges from 60% to 89% of the basic Centrelink benefit, depending on the DIAC program the person is on. In addition to this, most asylum seekers do not have the right to work, including all asylum seekers who arrived after 13/08/2013. Despite the disadvantages faced by asylum seekers, service providers make every effort to ensure asylum seekers can engage and integrate with the wider community. As a result, large numbers of asylum seekers participate in English language classes, community volunteering and other activities they are eligible to undertake.

Public transport costs present a major barrier to asylum seekers’ participation and integration with the local community. This results in a two way disadvantage. First, the wider community, such as charity organisations and community groups, are not benefitting from the potential volume of assistance that asylum seekers could offer. Second, a lower level of community participation increases the likelihood of asylum seekers being socially isolated and not integrated into the local community, which could also affect their health and wellbeing. For this reason, several other states have granted transport concession rates to asylum seekers or are in the process of doing so, including Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

In the best interests of the wider community and asylum seekers, I respectfully request that asylum seekers in Western Australia be extended the same benefit so that they are able to participate more actively in community life whilst they await visa outcomes.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Date: 15 May 2013 at 1:30 for 2:00 pm start

Venue: Multicultural House, 20 View Street NORTH PERTH

ECCWA and the Australian Institute of Criminology would like to invite you to a consultation into

violent extremism and gang violence to develop strategies to successfully intervene and prevent

violent extremism in ethnic communities.

Vol. 3: Issue 10

8