Due to the continuing pandemic, this year has been one of the more unusual years in recent times. A number of planned events did not happen and there has been no opportunity for face to face meetings. FABC activities have been correspondingly limited.
Meetings
The following meetings have been attended by myself on the Webex platform.
On 7 October 2020, the Hon. Alan Tudge, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, hosted a post-budget meeting to brief multicultural community leaders on a range of relevant announcements in the budget. The Minister spoke to changes to spouse visas, including the requirement to attend English language classes and proposal to amend the law to better protect international spouses wishing to flee domestic violence. Perhaps not unsurprisingly, there some debate about the wisdom of the English language test. I was able to ask a question in regard to the fate of overseas students in Australia during the pandemic. Unfortunately the response merely repeated the view that those who could no longer support themselves should return home.
On 23 October 2020 , another meeting, also coordinated by Minister Tudge, was held with the Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison. There was no opportunity to speak directly with him as there were some 130 participants in the roundtable. Questions were pre-submitted but covered the same ground as the earlier meeting with Minister Tudge. It was pleasing to see that among the four participants who spoke to their questions that one directly addressed the issue of the plight of overseas students in Australia during the pandemic In line with our previous submission on this issue).
On 8 February 2021, I attended an meeting as the FABC representative on Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO),a national multifaith peak body. The main discission was around concerns that there is an extremist element (of various persuasions) developing within Australian society and how religious bodies might respond to this. Unfortunately. the APRO chair, Natalie Mohini (Bahai tradition), was seconded to a new role with her organisation and there has been no follow up.
On 23 February 2021, I attended an online roundtable discussion with members of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Lucas de Toca from the Australian government (DHS) also attended who spoke to the phased roll out of the vaccine and confirmed that it would be made available at no charge. Mohammed (Islamic Council of Victoria) advices that the Imans Council has issued a fatwa recommending the use of the vaccine. Monique Stone (TGA) soke around the process of approval and the meeting concluded with a discussion about how the message on vaccines might be converted to the wider community principally (in language fact sheets and SBS).
Public Statements and Submissions
Religious Freedom Bills
In August 2019, the FABC submitted a response to the Australian governments’ Religious Freedom Bills {the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 • Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019, and • Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Freedom of Religion) Bill 2019}. These bills received substantial critical response and as a consequence a second draft was released for comment. The Australian Sangha Association and Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils lodged a joint response to the revised draft in February 2020. We continued to express our concern over the possible consequences of the proposed legislation. This matter has largely been quiescent over the last year, but has recently (November 2021) re-emerged and a new draft is before parliament. FABC will new to reconsider its position in light of the revised draft.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
In late May 2020, I committed to FABC endorsing an Interfaith Open Letter in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a document coordinated by ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons). This document was released in August 2020 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. Rev. Shiganobu Watanabe attended a read a prayer on behalf of the FABC. It should be noted that the Treaty achieved its 50th ratification at a UN event in New York in October which means it will enter into force in 90 days, on the 22nd of January 2021, making nuclear weapons illegal under international law. In September 2021, ICAN (Australian) commenced a public campaign in opposition to, and flowing, the Australian government decision to pursue nuclear powered submarine capability.
Events
Once again this year the pandemic caused a rethink of how Vesak might be celebrated. Following on from the success of last year’s eVesak, FABC again participated in a more modest online event. Largely coordinated by Tina Ng of BCNSW and the Metta Centre the program went online on 23 May 2021. A huge vote of thanks and appreciate to Tina for the enormous amount of work that she put into this event. FABC donated a modest amount to this event, much of which was later refunded as a result of donations.
Other Issues
Reponses to Covid 19
Following a flurry of activity last year, we have had a less intensive involvement this year at a national level. The majority of information from the Australian government has been through releases to state organisations.
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change
After a far amount of discussion during the year I ultimately signed on to the ARRCC sponsored Sacred People, Sacred Earth, was a stronger document again. FABC did not take any more direct following this, but I understand individual state organisations were involved, each to their own level of commitment.
A History of Buddhism in Australia
Last year, we supported a grant application by Anna Halahoff, Sue Smith and Cristina Rocha to the Australian Research Council seeking a grant to investigate the history of Buddhism in Australia. Unfortunately Anna advised in early February that this submission was not successful and as such the project has not proceeded.
Vale Rev. George Gatenby
No report could be complete without mentioning the passing of the Rev. George Gatenby. George was instrumental in establishing the SA Buddhist Council and a revered elder in the Adelaide Buddhist community and the international Jodo Shinshu community. I understood from my discussions with him that George had a long standing illness and that his demise was not necessarily unexpected. It was nonetheless a shock when I heard the news as I had been speaking with him just a few weeks before and there had been no suggestion that his death might be imminent. On behalf of all members of the Council I express my great thanks to his commitment to the Dharma and his role in supporting FABC over many years.
Thanks
Finally, a thank you to all the committee members for hanging in and continuing in what has been yet another different kind of year.
Michael Wells PSM, President
Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils