MEDIA RELEASE

‘Under the Law’ Helping migrants understand their legal rights and responsibilities

Released 24 August 2010

Information and Cultural Exchange
PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia
T: +61(2) 9897 5744 / F: +61(2) 9897 5766

Fairfield City Council, in partnership with several community organisations, has produced an educational DVD resource for community called ‘Under the Law’ An Introduction to the Legal Rights & Responsibilities of Australian Residents.* The DVD is aimed at raising awareness of the Australian legal system, focusing on crime reporting, domestic violence, traffic offences and alcohol and drugs.

The project addresses the Law & Justice Foundation’s objective of educating economically and socially disadvantaged people about the justice system. ‘Under the Law’ uses storytelling techniques to outline some of the major rights and responsibilities of Australian residents and is written and directed by Barry Gamba, a specialist in both digital media and emerging community relations.

Fairfield City is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia, with many residents having migrated from other countries, therefore the DVD is geared towards small and emerging communities, specifically residents from Iraq, Sudan, Burundi, Congo and Tanzania.In Australia, everyone is equal under the law. Every person, regardless of gender, race or religion is entitled to fair and equal treatment.

“Moving to a new country and trying to learn what might be an entirely different way of living can be a difficult and at times confusing experience. This DVD is such a great initiative to support new migrants and educate them about their rights and responsibilities as an Australian resident,” says Mayor of Fairfield City, Nick Lalich.

The project was supported and resourced through strategic partnerships between Fairfield City Council, Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), NSW Police Force, Legal Aid NSW, Liverpool/Fairfield Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, Auburn Community Development Network, NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General and the Sudanese Settlement Service/ECWA.

The project has been produced with the financial assistance of the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW. The Foundation seeks to advance the fairness and equity of the justice system and to improve access to justice, especially for socially and economically disadvantaged people. Visit www.lawfoundation.net.au for more information about the organisation.

The DVD can be viewed in several languages including Dinka, Arabic and Swahili. Copies of the DVD will be available from 26 August.

To obtain a copy or for more information about the project contact Fairfield City Council’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Officer, Claudia Guajardo, on 02 9725 0868.

Media enquiries: Alycia Gawthorne Communications Assistant, Fairfield City Council – 9725 0166

Website: www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au