Ms. Felicity Donnelly

ACMRO acting director Felicity Donnelly said the Catholic Church had been pleading with the government to let the East Timorese people stay, some of whom had lived their whole lives in Australia.

"We welcome the Opposition's move to amend the Migration Legislation Amendment (No. 1) Bill and its acknowledgement that these people are a unique case deserving of the utmost compassion," she said.

"Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference President Archbishop Francis Carroll has written twice to Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock, urging him to intervene and create a special class of visa which would allow these people to stay in the country which has become their home.

"We call on all parties in the Senate to support this amendment and to ensure that these people, who have made their lives in Australia over the last decade, are not forced to return to East Timor, with all of its ongoing instability."

For more information contact Felicity Donnelly at ACMRO on (02) 6201 9848.

Project Officer: Felicity DonnellyEmail: projectofficer@acmro.catholic.org.au

For further information contact Felicity Donnelly, Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office on 02 6201 9848.

Felicity Donnelly

Acting Director

Coordinators of the organising Committee were Felicity Donnelly (ACMRO) and Sandie Cornish (ACSJC).

ACMRO acting director Felicity Donnelly said the Catholic Church had been pleading with the government to let the East Timorese people stay, some of whom had lived their whole lives in Australia.

"We welcome the Opposition's move to amend the Migration Legislation Amendment (No. 1) Bill and its acknowledgement that these people are a unique case deserving of the utmost compassion," she said.

Ms Felicity DonnellyProject Officerph: +612 6125 6702fax: +612 6125 6700

Ms Felicity Donnelly is the Project Officer in the ANU team of the Social Protection Facility.She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.She is responsible for management operation and administration aspects of the project in Australia.