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NSW Attorney General launches refugee comic

"They want to overrun our country"

"They shouldn't be here in the first place. None of this would have happened if they hadn't come to Australia."

Two responses from Australian young people when asked about their attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers. Streetwize Communications Research June 2003

The NSW Attorney General, the Honourable Bob Debus MP, launched a new Streetwize comic, The Other Side, aimed at dispelling myths and attitudes held by young Australians about refugees and asylum seekers on Thursday, December 11 at the Office of the NSW Premier.

In a first for Australia, Streetwize Communications, a national not-for-profit communication organisation, consulted with key organisations and over 200 young people around NSW to develop a resource about attitudes to refugees.

The original aim of The Other Side was to provide easy-to-understand information for refugees and asylum seekers about their refugee status and what to expect on arrival in Australia. However, following the Tampa incident in 2001, it became evident there were common myths influencing young people's understanding of the issues.

Streetwize General Manager, Liz Skelton said the research showed there was a desire to hear about The Other Side of the story. "We discovered that myths believed by young people included that being a refugee is illegal, refugees are dangerous, asylum seekers are 'queue jumpers' and that the number of refugees accepted in Australia far exceeded the factual amount."

Ms Skelton said."The Other Side aims to provide young people with facts so that they can make an informed decision about this important issue. Young people from a range of socio-economic background, in rural, regional and metropolitan areas, some of whom were refugees were consulted to ensure the story-line and situations were realistic."

According to Mr Debus, "Streetwize has created a valuable comic resource to address this important issue and provide young people with the facts to formulate informed opinions."

Streetwize will distribute The Other Side to schools and other youth organisations throughout Australia.

Streetwize Communications specialises in researching and communicating social issues to hard to reach groups in an entertaining, accessible and relevant format. Since 1984, Streetwize has distributed over six million comics and education resources throughout Australia and the world.

For further information, additional copies or interviews contact
Kate Smith on 02 9319 0220 or kates@streetwize.com.au