Chance to raise the level of debate

What began as a blind game of chance has turned into a dedication to helping people understand the complexities of refugee and asylum laws.

Elizabeth Mathews, who graduates today with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws with first class honours from The University of Queensland (UQ), helped establish the Asylum and Refuge Law Project, which aims to educate high school students and the wider community about refugee law.

And while her decision to study law was made by writing down all the degrees she was interested in and then closing her eyes before letting her pen fall on the paper, she firmly believes it was the right decision after working with her fellow students on the Project.

“Our study of the subject Immigration and Refugee Law made us all quite passionate about what we saw as a lack of understanding in the broader community around the facts surrounding asylum seekers and refugees in Australia,” Ms Mathews said.

“We decided that we couldn’t just sit back and complain any longer, so we started a “facts vs fiction” blog, which was picked up by Fairfax media. A few weeks later we commenced our education program, visiting high schools and running classes aiming to educate students about the realities and complexities surrounding the seeking of asylum. More school visits are planned for this year.

“We all hope that the Project’s efforts have contributed to Australians being able to debate the issue of asylum seekers from a well-informed starting point.”

Today’s graduation is an extra special day for Ms Mathews and her family who have a long connection with UQ.

“My mother completed her Bachelor of Social Work here, my father, an MBA, and my brother graduated with a UQ dual degree in business and economics just last year,” Ms Mathews said.

“I suppose my greatest inspiration, however, has been my great-aunt, who completed a science degree at UQ in the 1940s – an amazing achievement for a woman at that time.”

Ms Mathews started work last week as a Judicial Associate at the Family Court of Australia, where she will be for the next eighteen months. In 2013 she will take up a position as a graduate lawyer with Allens Arthur Robinson and hopes to eventually work overseas for the United Nations.

Media: Kathy Grube, 3346 0561.