John Hourigan has authorised this information for release and publication by MA.

John is attending the MIA's EGM at his own cost to assist Members who are unable to attend.

“Mr John Hourigan, Secretary of the ACT Chapter, will be attending the EGM and will vote AGAINST the motion.   He has agreed to be appointed proxy by all members wishing to cast a vote. Please put his name and address as your proxy form in accordance with the instructions provided so that he can vote AGAINST the motion in accordance with your instructions."

A groundswell of support for Liana Allan to take proxies from Migration Alliance members who are also MIA members to ensure that their vote of 'NO' at the MIA EGM is recorded.  Below is a letter to Migration Alliance and MIA members from RMA, Robert Chelliah:

Dear Colleagues

Pardon me for the intrusion.  This is a call to stop the rotting of our professional body by MIA which is preparing to vote on a motion to allow the Board members to stand for election without any disqualifying period. This in effect means permanent  squatting in the pretext of continuity is favoured against allowing new blood.  Sharon Harris, a well-respected  committee member has expressed her view and is calling on MIA members to oppose the motion.  Please use the proxy form link below and appoint Liana Allan of the Migration Alliance to voice a NO vote.

The following evidence has been sent to Migration Alliance.  Full permission has been provided to publish this information.  Mr Abel Prasad sent yet another letter today to Migration Alliance threatening to sue us and giving us another chance to remove the information we have published on this website about SVC Legal and Mr Abel Prasad.   We will not be intimidated or threatened into backing down or removing information important for consumer protection and above all else, RMA protection.

Migration Alliance has been informed that Surry Hills Local Area Command Detectives have been assigned to this case and we have been provided with a Constable's name and case file number.

The person (victim) who sent this information to Migration Alliance reports that Mr Abel Prasad owes him money (approx. $50,000) and has used his credit card without his permission.  

"It's disgraceful that families, including young children, are detained in shocking conditions offshore and the Australian taxpayer is left to pick up the multi-billion dollar bill," Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young recently told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Some $1.2 billion was spent last year alone to run detention centres on Manus Island, Nauru and Christmas Island, according to newly release Senate Estimate documents. This amounts to over $529,000 per detainee on Manus Island and Nauru which together currently hold about 1930 asylum seekers. The balance was spent on the Christmas Island detention centres which this year is expected to have its numbers dramatically reduced with the removal of children and their families to Darwin.

The figures were released in response to parliamentary questions and come just after the United Nations refugee agency criticised the recent High Court decision over the detainment of 157 asylum seekers on the high seas for a month. In a close 3:4 decision, the High Court ruled that the government’s action was lawful.

The government has said it plans to reduce its spending on the offshore detention centres with big cuts to welfare services this year. However, Senator Hanson-Young told The SMH,"If the government really wanted to save money, they'd shut down these multi-billion dollar gulags on Manus Island and Nauru."

During 2014 the number of people who arrived by boat to Australia significantly plunged. Last year 164 people successfully made it to Australian land to seek asylum. This is in stark contrast to the 20,719 people who successfully sought asylum by boat in 2013, according to the report.

This statement by Ms Sharon Harris sets out the reasons why to vote 'NO' in the coming EGM on 18 February 2015.

Ms Harris has recently resigned from her position on the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) Qld/NT MIA Committee as she could NOT represent MIA members and be seen to support this proposal. 

Migration Alliance holds the view that, in her statement, Ms Harris has stated facts which do not breach her obligations whilst a director of the MIA.  Migration Alliance commends Ms Harris for her transparency and for upholding the values of democracy in the Australian migration advice profession.  

"As many MA members are also MIA members, I am writing to recommend MIA members read carefully the MIA Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") to be held on 18/02/2015 with changes proposed by the National Board to the Constitution.

The proposed changes include one which has significant relevance to the MIA - your professional association.

The proposal is to remove the 2 term limits for tenure on the Board. This will allow Board Directors to remain on the National Board …..forever.