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MILE Program wins MCA Award

18 March 2013

The Commission is pleased to announce receipt of a National Migration and Settlement Award for our work in raising awareness of legal rights and responsibilities amongst asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. The Commission received the 2013 Diversity and the Law Award for its innovative legal education program which works with new migrant communities and settlement service providers.

The Migration Council of Australia Diversity & the Law award was presented by Chief Justice Robert French, (pictured, centre, photo courtesy of Migration Council of Australia) on 18 March at Parliament House with the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard as key note speaker. Christopher Boundy, Manager Access Services and Alice Hall, Legal Education Officer attended the ceremony to accept the award on behalf of the Commission.

This was an inaugural event to recognize the achievements of those who have developed programs and initiatives to welcome migrants and refugees. Traditionally, migrant communities have negotiated the first years of settlement in Australia with a limited understanding of the law and the Australian legal system.

Since 2004, the Commission's Migrant Information Legal Education (MILE) program has assisted thousands of new migrants, particularly of non-English speaking backgrounds, achieve greater social mobility and self-reliance through improved awareness of their rights and obligations under Australian law, so as to ensure substantive equality and access to justice.

Congratulations to Alice Hall and John Mugabushaka in achieving national recognition for their work with new migrants. The MILE program was profiled in a short AMSA Finalists video which was screened on the awards night at Parliament House.

This well deserved award acknowledges the value and importance of the Commission's Community Legal Education Program.