[Greens-Media] Family Farce

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Sunday, 13 August 2006

Family Farce

It is clear from Steve Fielding's interview with Laurie Oakes (Channel
9, Sunday program) that his trip to the Indonesian embassy and West
Papuan refugees in the last few days were political pantomine, Greens
Leader Bob Brown said today.

Fielding says he will vote against the government's immigration bill
because the government is 'obviously wanting to please Indonesia' and is
'not prepared to play by the rules', adding that if other countries
transferred refugees to third countries (like Nauru) 'there would be
absolute chaos'.

"It's people's lives we're talking about here," said Senator Fielding.

"Senator Fielding has made the same decision as the Greens for the same
reasons - reasons which were obvious months ago. Senator Fielding
consulted Indonesia on Friday, then declared on Sunday 'having other
countries decide this matter is not on'. It is not only the government's
bill which appears ludicrous," Senator Brown said.

"The Greens will vote against the bill and hope that one or more true
Liberals will do the same to ensure its defeat in the Senate this week,"
Senator Brown said.

"Australia should indeed abide by international rules and process asylum
seekers in our own country, with their legal rights assured," Senator
Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au