FABC President’s Report 2019

Attendances and Meetings

As president of the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils

I was invited to meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in

his office in Sydney on 5 Aug 2019.

This was followed by letter to the PM on the position of the FABC on the draft bill which was published on our website.

On 6 Aug 2019, attended Nantien University and discussed possible Chaplaincy training for Buddhist Councils

In Oct 2019, attended a meeting of Home Affairs organised in WA and discussed among other things, changes in the visa laws. It will be easier for Minister of Religions to obtain visa in regional Australia.

The definition of Regional Australia will be simplified and expanded in 2019 to include all of Australia except for the following metropolitan areas: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/regional-migration/eligible-regional-areas

In Sep 2019, FABC together with BCWA discussed chaplaincy training in WA. We had two conference calls with the Ven Thich Thong Phap. This was organised by Ven Mettaji, Secretary of the ASA

In Dec 2018, Bhante Sujato attended the meeting with FECCA on behalf of the FABC and the ASA

Survey Form for Religious visas was undertaken by Bhante Bodhidhaja

On 24 June 2019, Michael Wells on behalf of the FABC attended at the invitation of Multicultural Affairs Policy Section in the Department of Home Affairs in Canberra to APRO members.

In June 2019, Gawaine Powell-Davies attended the Sakyadhita 2019 Conference and made the opening statement on behalf of the FABC.

In November 2019, Kevin Dickson attended the WFB Conference on behalf of the FABC in Tokyo.

Public Statements and Submissions

• PM, Mr Scott Morrison Vesak message and Leader of Opposition, Mr Bill Shorten’s Vesak Message 2019
• Support letter for the release of Afif Naeimi, the last of the seven Baha'i leaders. He was released in Dec 2018. https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/who-is-afif-naeimi-and-why-did-so-many-australians-call-for-his-release-20181221-p50no7.html
• Joint Statement with APRO on the terrorist attack in NZ
• Joint Statement with APRO on the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka
• FABC’s Submission on the Religious Discrimination Bill Vesak Message
• interview with the ABC on FABC’s view on the draft Religious Discrimination bill.
• Support letter to The Mahamevnawa Monastery in Sydney for their visa application
• Joint letter with the ASA to the ACNC for a meeting on criterion for DGR status for Buddhist organisations.
• Joint signatory on climate change

Special Thanks

Finally, would like to thank to the 2017/18 FABC Committee with special thanks to: -

• Gawaine Powell-Davies (VP) Mr Kevin Dickson (Secretary) and Mr Michael Wells (Treasurer)
• The Australian Sangha Association especially Ajahn Brahm, Ven Mettaji and Bhante Sujato
• Dr. Jake Mitra our IT and Media Coordinator
• Mr Dennis Sheppard, Coordinator of our RMC