News

Government assistance for temporary and provisional visa holders – coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Live in Melbourne

A range of government assistance is available to temporary and provisional visa holders impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). For more information please contact the agency responsible or visit the website listed.

The range of assistance available includes,

  • Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
  • Face masks and coverings
  • Temporary changes to the Seasonal Worker Programme, Pacific Labour Scheme and the Working Holiday Maker visa program
  • Support for job seekers
  • Support for renters
  • Support for International Students
  • Relief payments for temporary visa holders
  • Support for multicultural and multifaith families
  • Relaxation of work hours for international students working in medical and disability sectors
  • Support for public housing and people experiencing homelessness
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health workforce response
  • Hotels for Heroes
  • Support for Businesses

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75 Years since the Hiroshima Bombing

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Hiroshima bombing

The United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively, with the consent of the United Kingdom, as required by the Quebec Agreement. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only uses of nuclear weapons in armed conflict.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty, is the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons, with the goal of leading towards their total elimination. It was passed on 7 July 2017. In order to come into effect, signature and ratification by at least 50 countries is required. As of July 2020, 40 states have ratified the treaty.

Religions for Peace Australia seeks peace in Australia, and peace on Earth. To this end we strive to build strong interfaith relations, promote cooperation, harmony and understanding among the faiths in Australia and seek to build same in all states and in Parliament House, Canberra, by observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Here, the Chair of Religions for Peace Australia gives reflections on 75 Years since the Hiroshima bombing.

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Interfaith Open Letter to Prime Minister

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ICANThe Interfaith Open Letter in support of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is sent this day to the Prime Minister of Australia and all Members of Parliament. This letter has been signed by 58 faith organisations in Australia and represents an important initiative towards gaining Peace on Earth.

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Guidance Documents for Religious Leaders

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Guidance Documents for Religious LeadersReligions for Peace International have teamed up with UNICEF to provide guidance documents for religious leaders in this time of worldwide pandemic. At this moment of crisis, these thematic guidance documents have been prepared to guide religious leaders and faith communities on the key issues and actions that they can take in preventing and addressing the diseases and its secondary effects. ​The documents have been prepared based on official technical materials from UNICEF, WHO and IFRC and informed by the existing Faith-Based resources.

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Kindness and Love in a Time of Separation – Perspectives from the Three Abrahamic Faiths

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Join us at the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia in a free on line event on the theme, ‘ Kindness & Love in a Time of Separation – Perspectives From The Three Abrahamic Faiths’ on the afternoon of Sunday 9 August 2020. This is an online event, free.

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Children and Youth for Climate Justice

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Children and Youth for Climate Justice Toolkit

The World Council of Churches releases a collection of curated resources to support churches, church-run schools, Sunday schools and summer camps in their ongoing efforts to promote care for children and youth through intergenerational climate- and environmental justice. The toolkit supports the Churches’ Commitments to Children, in which climate initiatives for and with children is an important pillar.

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In Remembrance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

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The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Accord


As the world marks the 75th Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in 2020, the world’s preeminent interfaith organizations are coming together through a multilateral accord and a special remembrance broadcast that aims to reverse the race toward mutually assured destruction.

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In Hope We Live

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star of hopeIn this time of COVID and beyond, where we are told not to touch our own body, not to visit our beloved ones even when they are in hospital, not to bury our beloved once even when we know deep in our hurt that we will never see them again, life is becoming a solid war zone. In such a brutal time, the only way to have a peaceful life is to posses hope deep inside our heart.

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Auburn Gallipoli Mosque granted coronavirus exemption for 400 people to celebrate Eid-al-Adha

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Auburn Gallipoli MosqueAuburn Gallipoli Mosque has been granted an exemption to hold Eid-al-Adha prayers. NSW Health said exemptions were only granted in “exceptional circumstances”. It said the mosque had a thorough COVID-19 Safety Plan. The mosque will split attendees into four areas, with no more than 100 in each.

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