Of social cohesion, belonging and the Australian flag. By Stella Yee, Pearls & Irritations

For all the talk of social cohesion, what we are really grappling with is belonging – who feels they belong and who is made to feel they do not. The language of cohesion implies the fabric of Australia is fraying, yet belonging has never been evenly woven. Some are born wrapped in the flag; others are asked, again and again, to prove their place beneath it. The Australian flag, held up as a symbol of unity, too often becomes a banner of exclusion – waved to assert dominance rather than shared identity.

Of social cohesion, belonging and the Australian flag. By Stella Yee, Pearls & Irritations

‘Seed of hope’: Gaza grandmother is reunited with her Australian family after more than a decade. By Sarah Basford Canales and Adeshola Ore, The Guardian

“May this reunion be a seed of hope in a world drowning in injustice. And may every family separated by war, siege, and borders be reunited soon.”

Since October 2023, Shamikh had desperately tried every avenue to get his elderly mother, who held a valid Australian visa, out of the conflict zone.

The grandmother, now safe in the western Sydney suburb of Bankstown, still thinks of those she left behind.

‘Seed of hope’: Gaza grandmother is reunited with her Australian family after more than a decade. By Sarah Basford Canales and Adeshola Ore, The Guardian

Adnan thought he’d served his time. But one night border force raided his home to deport him to Nauru. By Sarah Basford Canales, The Guardian

Adnan says he found out about his visa for Nauru in the middle of the night when border force officers came to his door and took him back into detention.

“These days are like living in a nightmare. I made mistakes since I came to Australia – I have been punished for those mistakes. I have tried everything to put my life back on track. I am not a young man – I cannot keep rebuilding my life. I do not know why Australia has selected me for this terrible punishment,” he says.

Adnan thought he’d served his time. But one night border force raided his home to deport him to Nauru. By Sarah Basford Canales, The Guardian

First NZYQ cohort member deported to Nauru under opaque deal potentially worth billions. By Maani Truu, ABC News

The first member of the so-called NZYQ cohort has been quietly deported to Nauru under an opaque deal struck by the Australian government.

Both the Coalition and the Greens have taken aim at the "secrecy" of the removal, urging the government to share further details about the agreement that could end up costing Australia $2.5 billion.

First NZYQ cohort member deported to Nauru under opaque deal potentially worth billions. By Maani Truu, ABC News

Osamah is the first to arrive in Australia via this new visa pathway. His long 'limbo' is over. By Aleisha Orr, SBS News

The 24-year-old, originally from Yemen, is one of just 20 refugees due to come to Australia as part of this pilot program.

The program, open to refugees aged 18-30, provides a permanent visa for those chosen to take part.

It allows refugees to pursue qualifications in nursing, civil engineering, technology, business or economics.

The pathway is running as a pilot program with 20 participants in 2026.

Osamah is the first to arrive in Australia via this new visa pathway. His long 'limbo' is over. By Aleisha Orr, SBS News

Who gets to be called Aussie? Why these posters are causing another stir — 10 years on. By Georgia Maher & Josie Harvey, SBS News

Nearly a decade ago, posters began popping up in cities around the country with a striking image of a Muslim cameleer and the caption "Aussie" — provoking conversations at a time when racial tensions were high.
The artist, Peter Drew, wanted to challenge what it means to be, and who exactly is, Australian.
Today, against a backdrop of anti-immigration protests and sentiment across the country, his message has renewed relevance.
He says it's time to strike up another conversation, as he reprises the project for its tenth anniversary with at least six new profiles.

Who gets to be called Aussie? Why these posters are causing another stir — 10 years on. By Georgia Maher & Josie Harvey, SBS News

Voices from the sea, part one: people rescued in the Mediterranean tell their stories of survival in ‘onboard workshops’. By Morgane Dujmovic, The Conversation

The words echo those of Shakir, a Bangladeshi man I met on the OV – as the Ocean Viking ship is commonly nicknamed. He told me: “You refreshed our minds with the workshops. Since Libya and the sea, we felt lost. Now, we understand the journey that we’ve undertaken.”

Voices from the sea, part one: people rescued in the Mediterranean tell their stories of survival in ‘onboard workshops’. By Morgane Dujmovic, The Conversation

Palestinians in Gaza with Australian visas remain trapped as Israel keeps borders closed. By Daisy Dumas and Adeshola Ore, The Guardian

Australian visa holders in Gaza have the paperwork they need to flee the razed Palestinian territory but remain trapped due to closed borders, prompting refugee advocates to intensify calls for support.

Ahmed Abumarzouq’s two nephews were granted humanitarian visas on 15 October – two days after all living Israeli hostages were returned to Israel under the tentative Gaza ceasefire plan, which has not yet produced a possible border re-opening. For the small number who are eligible for Australian consular assistance – those whose immediate family members are citizens or permanent residents – the pathway to Australia is still complex.

Palestinians in Gaza with Australian visas remain trapped as Israel keeps borders closed. By Daisy Dumas and Adeshola Ore, The Guardian

Minister 'concerned' at setting migration targets as protesters march across the country. From AAP, SBS News

Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke stressed the need to keep the debate surrounding migration respectful.

"People used to talk about being able to engage in dog whistle politics, and you give a message, and only certain people would really hear what you were saying. It's not a dog whistle any more. It's a set of bag pipes coming over the hill," he said.

"We are a multicultural nation, and when people sledge multicultural Australia, there are a whole lot of Australian citizens who hear it, feel it deeply.

Meanwhile, there have been tense scenes across the country as anti-immigration rallies were met by anti-racism counterprotests in capital cities, as well as some smaller regional centres.

Minister 'concerned' at setting migration targets as protesters march across the country. From AAP, SBS News

Savvy politicians know how to ‘perform’ authenticity – the Jacinda Ardern doco offers a masterclass. By Susan Fountaine, Pearls & Irritations

There’s a telling moment in the documentary film  Prime Minister when Jacinda Ardern reflects on her rapid rise from Labour leader to prime minister, saying she had “no time to redesign myself […] I could only be myself”.

This reference to her “true” self signals a commitment to political authenticity, a thread that runs through the award-winning documentary about Ardern’s remarkable time in office.

But in political communication, authenticity is seldom straightforward. It is primarily understood as a “performance” of self, usually by politicians for voters, and filtered by news and social media.

Skilled politicians — on the right as much as the left — know this. And voters, too, can accept things as simultaneously “real” and manufactured.

Savvy politicians know how to ‘perform’ authenticity – the Jacinda Ardern doco offers a masterclass. By Susan Fountaine, Pearls & Irritations

Conservative Liberals want to use immigration to bludgeon Labor. But it’s bad politics, and bad on principle. By Tom McIlroy, The Guardian

By seeking to turn migration into a political bludgeon against Labor ahead of the next election, Liberal rightwingers will not only pick away at the fabric of modern Australia, but further alienate the party from the voters they need to win back.

Conservative Liberals want to use immigration to bludgeon Labor. But it’s bad politics, and bad on principle. By Tom McIlroy, The Guardian

Childhood on hold: Growing up too soon in Gaza and beyond. By Meg Schwarz, P & I

UNICEF has called Gaza the “most dangerous place in the world to be a child.” It estimates every single child in Gaza will need mental health support.

An entire generation is being scarred by trauma before they have even had the chance to grow.

Childhood should be a time of play, safety and learning. It should be the period in life when children are free to dream without fear. For too many though, living in war/genocide zones, their childhood has been stolen.

Childhood on hold: Growing up too soon in Gaza and beyond. By Meg Schwarz, P & I

95 dead from hunger, disease in W. Sudan's refugee camp during past 40 days: volunteers, Xinhua

In a statement, the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room said 73 children under five and 22 elderly individuals had died from hunger and illness among camp residents.

"The security and humanitarian situation in El Fasher remains dire, with residents facing severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare, especially displaced people cut off from aid and basic services," the statement said. The group warned of a looming health crisis, citing unburied bodies across the city amid ongoing insecurity, and urged international organizations to establish safe corridors for civilians fleeing the conflict.

95 dead from hunger, disease in W. Sudan's refugee camp during past 40 days: volunteers, Xinhua

“Night is dark for us”: Rohingya refugees need protection before repatriation. By Joe Freeman & Carolyn Nash, The New Humanitarian

Today, the UN General Assembly is hosting a high-level conference on the situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar. While the overall goal is for Rohingya to be able to go home to Myanmar, few are under any illusion that it can happen any time soon. Northern Rakhine State, where most of the Rohingya in the Bangladesh camps are from, is now under the control of the Arakan Army, which is engaged in active conflict with the Myanmar military and Rohingya armed groups………….

…In the meantime, Rohingya children, who make up almost half the population of the camp, face urgent protection needs. But the funds to meet them are disappearing. As the US under President Donald Trump pulls back from the humanitarian landscape, the aid response in Cox’s Bazar is, as of August 31, only 37% funded for this year, the lowest level since 2017.

“Night is dark for us”: Rohingya refugees need protection before repatriation. By Joe Freeman & Carolyn Nash, The New Humanitarian

What we've learnt about the 'ISIS brides', as federal police anticipate more returns. By Ewa Staszewska, SBS

Home Affairs and relevant security agencies, including the AFP and ASIO, have been aware of the individual's intent to return since June.
It remains unclear whether the women had committed any terrorism offences.
Nutt reassured the public that they were being monitored as part of Operation Howth, which has been going on since 2014, in coordination with other agencies.
"We will leave no stone unturned in understanding, identifying and investigating any activity, and if there are criminal offences, we will proceed as appropriate," he said.

What we've learnt about the 'ISIS brides', as federal police anticipate more returns. By Ewa Staszewska, SBS

'Heartbreaking': The children Australia won’t bring home from a Syrian detention camp. By Sara Tomevska, SBS News

A drawing of 'Rapunzel' surrounded by blue skies and roses is how six-year-old Yara imagines life in Australia.
Yara, whose name SBS has changed, has spent her entire childhood in al-Roj detention camp in northeast Syria and has never smelled flowers.
"It was heartbreaking," says Greens senator David Shoebridge, who was given the drawing while visiting the "high security desert prison" in September.

'Heartbreaking': The children Australia won’t bring home from a Syrian detention camp. By Sara Tomevska, SBS News