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AUSTRALIAN ¿ ALWASAT ¿ Issue 35 ¿ Shawwal 1434 ¿ August 2013
www.alwasat.com.au ¿ info@alwasat.com.au
SUCCESS STORY Vexatious Intervention Order Application The Muslim Legal Network (MLN) was recently contacted by a client who required urgent assistance for an intervention order hearing that was fixed for a rapidly approaching date in April. The client worked on a casual basis and did not have a permanent job. As a result, he could not afford to engage a lawyer to assist. The MLN’s Legal Referral Service functions as an avenue of support for clients who are disadvantaged. The client’s ex-wife (applicant) applied for an intervention order against the client after two years of no contact. The client claimed that his ex-wife fled with their children and another individual who she later married. In her affidavit, the applicant claimed that the client stole her money, abused, raped and assaulted her on several occasions, all of which the client denied. The claims made against the client could have had serious ramifications on his life if accepted by the court. Abdul Rahman Mohamed Saleh, a lecturer at Victoria Law School who also assists the MLN, took the initiative to support the client by preparing an affidavit. It was hoped that it would assist in getting the other party to withdraw the application but the applicant persisted on pursuing legal action.
As a result of the applicant’s decision to continue with legal action, the client required a lawyer to represent him. The principal solicitor at Amicus Lawyers, a senior member of the Muslim Legal Network, volunteered to act on behalf of the client. He assisted on a pro bono basis due to the client’s disadvantaged situation. After lengthy negotiations with the applicant’s barrister, the Intervention Order application against the client was withdrawn. The principal solicitor notes that the client was ‘ecstatic’ with the support he received and with the outcome of the case. All members of the MLN worked together to achieve the best possible result for the client in a very short period of time. The MLN can only operate with the continued support of dedicated legal practitioners like those who volunteered their time and knowledge in this case to help a person in need. The MLN encourages all Muslim lawyers to work closely with the MLN so that we can improve and expand our services to better serve the Muslim community’s legal needs. If you would like to get involved or be a point of referral for our services, please contact Aseel Sammak on 0406 254 141. For general enquiries, please email us at muslim.legal.network@gmail.com
By: Jazeer Nijamudeen, President of the Muslim Legal Network Burak Akkulah, Secretary of the Muslim Legal Network
م2013 هـ ¿ آب1434 ¿ شوال35 ¿ الوسط ¿ العدد
EID MUBARAK EID AL-FITR It is with great pleasure that I send my warmest greetings to the Muslim community as they celebrate Eid. Ramadan has been a time of fasting and prayer. Ramadan has also been a time to serve the less fortunate, a reminder of the obligations that people have to each other. Australia is a vibrant and successful multicultural nation and Ramadan gives us the opportunity to reflect on the values that we hold in common such as tolerance, generosity and compassion. Iftar dinners are an opportunity for Australian communities to gather and share a meal to celebrate Ramadan in the spirit of mutual respect and harmony. Ramadan traditions are a wonderful way for us to establish community links across diverse cultures and promote greater understanding. I send my best wishes to all celebrating Eid.
Kate Lundy
Minister for Multicultural Affairs|Minister Assisting for Innovation and Industry | Minister Assisting for the Digital Economy Senator for the ACT
ECCV urges ethnic Australians to cast their vote Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria The Federal election on Saturday 7 September is fast approaching and ECCV encourages voters from an ethnic background to register to vote if they have not already done so. ECCV Chairperson Joe Caputo, OAM, stresses that voting is both a right and an obligation. “Casting your vote is making use of your right to choose who will be representing you,
your community and local area as well as your state, in the Australian parliament. It’s also compulsory in Australia, so it’s important people are enrolled and attend their polling station in their electorate on the day”. To be able to vote on the day people who haven’t enrolled yet to vote must register by Monday 12 August 2013. All Australian citizens who are 18 years of age and older are required by law to enrol and vote at the upcoming federal election. “Understanding the voting process can be difficult for
people for whom English is a second language or those who have just become Australian citizens and are not familiar with the Australian system of government” said Mr Caputo One way of overcoming these obstacles and being informed is by visiting the Australian Electorate Commission (AEC) website whose factsheets in languages other than English provide useful information on enrolling to vote, steps on the day and other useful information. “It is important that people from an ethnic background are
aware of where to register, how to cast their vote and that they can also vote by post if they are unable to visit the polling station on election day,” explained Mr Caputo. Voting information in other languages - To access information in a language other than English visit the following AEC page http:// www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/ Translated_information/index. htm How to register for voting? Paper enrolment forms are available at the Australian Electorate Commissioner
Leading Senior Constable Ali Gurdag has become the very first known Muslim police officer to receive a Australian Police Medal (APM) Leading Senior Constable Ali Gurdag has become the very first known Muslim police officer to receive a Australian Police Medal (APM) for distinguished services. Ali was one of eight Victoria Police employees who received The Queen’s Birthday 2013 Honour. LSC Gurdag has spent most of his career as a Multicultural Liaison Officer focusing on the critical relationship between Victoria Police and the Muslim community in north west Melbourne. He has demonstrated his commitment to policing and its compatibility with his Islamic faith. LSC Gurdag has maintained an exceptional reputation within Victoria Police and in the Muslim community and has worked tirelessly to improve the relationship between the two entities.
Office website, Australia Post, Centrelink or Medicare, and must be completed and returned to the AEC by 12 August. How to check if you have already enrolled? Before you can vote, you need to make
sure your name is on the electoral roll http://www.aec. gov.au/check How to vote? In person on the day at your polling station, to find out where your polling station is visit http://apps.aec. gov.au/esearch/ By post - Application forms are available from any Australia Post outlet. For information visit www.aec.gov.au/Voting/ ways_to_vote/ Book an information session - If you want the AEC to visit your community organisation call 13 23 26 to find out if you can book a session.
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