14th September 2010
GREENS MOVE FOR A NEW BEGINNING for ASYLUM-SEEKERS
The Australian Greens have called for discussions with the new Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, to work towards a more sensible
approach to asylum-seekers, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Immigration and Human Rights, says she has written to Mr Bowen to congratulate him on his
appointment and to seek to establish a workable relationship with regular meetings in the new Parliament.
“Mr Bowen’s appointment provides a new opportunity to convince the Gillard Government that its offshore processing policy and suspension of
asylum claims for Afghans is not the answer,” Senator Hanson-Young said.“The Coalition has made it quite clear that it is not interested in changing its inhumane approach.
“This is an opportunity for the Gillard Government to break free of the race to the bottom on refugees that was displayed in the recent election
campaign.“Australia should not be trying to palm off its responsibilities as a regional leader to the poorest nations in our region, whether it be East
Timor, Nauru or somewhere else.“This week I will be travelling to Darwin to visit immigration facilities and see for myself the conditions in the centres, which have
already been the subject of criticism.“There are a number of key immigration issues the Greens want to work with Mr Bowen to resolve.”
These issues include:
* Lifting the suspension of Afghan asylum claims
* Ending the practice of children in immigration detention
* Abandoning the Government’s East Timor Solution and drawing a
line under further offshore processing
* An end to indefinite and long-term detention, with judicial
review of detention beyond 30 days
* A public campaign to provide the facts to the community and promote the positive and valuable contribution refugees have made to
Australia.
“We need to do better in providing information to the Australian people, to help them understand that asylum-seekers are not to be feared, and
that their numbers are small compared to the 50,000 overseas visitors who overstay their visas every year,” Senator Hanson-Young said.“We oppose offshore processing as a solution to deal with vulnerable asylum-seekers. They should be brought to the mainland and housed close
to appropriate support and services, where they can be processed quickly, fairly and humanely.“The Greens will continue to stand up for the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees and champion a more compassionate approach which a growing
number of Australians agree with.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew McGarry –
0427 604 760
Robert Simms
Adviser
Community Liaison & Campaigns
Office of Sarah Hanson-Young
Greens Senator for South Australia
Ground Floor, Telstra Building
30 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8231 9911 / Fax: (08) 8211 7533
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Hi All,
I was approached by “a Current Afffair” yesterday – they want to do an “asylum seekers living in Motels story” – you can guess the likely slant.
I politiely turned down the opportunity to work with them. They wanted contacts- sorry no help there. They are determined so just to forewarn.
Of course it is up to folks to make their own decision about this if approached.
Mine was – I am not feeding vultures.
There is enough biased mis information out there in the tabloids without us giving them a helping hand and no matter what they promise – it never turns out that way.
Pamela Curr