[Greens-Media] Sen. KERRY NETTLE: Vanstone must stop whingeing and take action to investigate the Edmund Rice Centre claims

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

08.08.06

Vanstone must stop whingeing and take action to investigate the Edmund
Rice Centre claims


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the Immigration Minster,
Senator Vanstone  to investigate the Edmund  Rice Centre's claims of the
deaths of  and dangers faced by returned asylum seekers.

"It's no good the Minister complaining about ABC publicising the claims
of the Edmund Rice Centre. What she should be doing is investigating
these claims," Senator Nettle said.

"It appears that this government's aggressive refugee policy has
resulted in people who sought safety in Australia being killed. 

"This will happen again unless the processes which led to these people
being returned are changed and the steps taken by the government to
assess the dangers asylum seekers face are improved.

"If the Edmund Rice Centre with its limited resources can find out this
information, then surely the Australian Government with all its
resources can investigate these claims.

"I have asked the Minister on at least three occasions to investigate
similar claims by the Edmund Rice Centre. How can the government know if
they have made correct decisions if they do not monitor the fate of
returned asylum seekers?

"The report should send a clear message to politicians that the proposed
migration changes are not just about political manoeuvrings. The
decisions of the department of immigration can lead to the, death of
human beings."


Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146