Ann Phelan and Actors For Refugees
Wednesday, 23 July 2003
ABC
Presenter: Steve Martin
Ann Phelan gives her points of view on why Australian actors are banding together to publicly advocate better treatment of people arriving in Australia as refugees.
One of Australia's acting legends explains why she and many other actors are unhappy with the Government's policies towards refugees.
The issues of refugees and asylum seekers have been on the metaphorical front page in Australia since Tampa and the last federal election.
And it seems many people remain in favour of the Howard Government's hardline stance - including the mandatory detention of asylum seekers and the so-called Pacific Solution' of offshore detention.
However, the Government also has some very vocal opponents - people trying to change the minds of those in power and spread their message to the Australian public.
'Actors for Refugees' is one group trying to change the way people perceive refugees. This week, well-known actor Anne Phelan spoke with Steve Martin before the group's tour of south-west Victoria.
'If I treated my dog the way we are treating some of these people in detention centres, I would be put in jail,' she said.
Anne Phelan, whose recent television credits include Welcher and Welcher, Marshall Law and Something in the Air, said the group aims to present the human stories behind the debates.
'Actors have a history of speaking out against injustice and abuse of human rights, and we feel that the voices of these people have been taken away from them,' she said. 'And who better than to give it back to them than actors?'
The group's current tour around south-west Victoria includes various dramatic pieces, including 'Club Refuge' - a collection of facts and figures, letters, poetry and stories.
ABC
Presenter: Steve Martin
Ann Phelan gives her points of view on why Australian actors are banding together to publicly advocate better treatment of people arriving in Australia as refugees.
One of Australia's acting legends explains why she and many other actors are unhappy with the Government's policies towards refugees.
The issues of refugees and asylum seekers have been on the metaphorical front page in Australia since Tampa and the last federal election.
And it seems many people remain in favour of the Howard Government's hardline stance - including the mandatory detention of asylum seekers and the so-called Pacific Solution' of offshore detention.
However, the Government also has some very vocal opponents - people trying to change the minds of those in power and spread their message to the Australian public.
'Actors for Refugees' is one group trying to change the way people perceive refugees. This week, well-known actor Anne Phelan spoke with Steve Martin before the group's tour of south-west Victoria.
'If I treated my dog the way we are treating some of these people in detention centres, I would be put in jail,' she said.
Anne Phelan, whose recent television credits include Welcher and Welcher, Marshall Law and Something in the Air, said the group aims to present the human stories behind the debates.
'Actors have a history of speaking out against injustice and abuse of human rights, and we feel that the voices of these people have been taken away from them,' she said. 'And who better than to give it back to them than actors?'
The group's current tour around south-west Victoria includes various dramatic pieces, including 'Club Refuge' - a collection of facts and figures, letters, poetry and stories.
posted by Actors for Refugees at 5:52 PM
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