Letter to an asylum seeker

As part of the Getup and Julian Burnside joint campaign, I am writing the following letter to an asylum seeker, to let them know that many Australians are thinking of them, and care about their plight. I encourage you to write your own letter, and send it to:

Julian Burnside
205 William Street
Melbourne, 3000

Include a self-addressed envelope so that your new penpal can write back to you.
Feel free to copy any parts of my letter that ring true to you.

Hello,

My name is Catherine Brooks, and I'm an Australian citizen, writing to you to let you know that I care for your health and wellbeing.

I'm sorry that you are in a detention centre. I do not believe in detaining people who are seeking asylum on our shores. I do believe that you are in the care of the Australian Government and its people, and I am sorry that you are being detained. I believe that you should be better looked after.

When I go to bed at night, after a lovely meal, I think of you in detention, and I feel incredibly sad. I wish, for you, comfort, and fair process, so that you can be released from detention as quickly as possible.

If you would like to, please send me a letter (using the enclosed self-addressed envelope) and I will promise to write. My hope is that this will brighten up your time in detention and open my eyes about your plight and journey.

In the meantime, I will keep supporting Mr Burnside and Getup and the many other Australians as they work to campaign against the poor treatment of asylum seekers.

Warmest regards,
Catherine