[Greens-Media] Greens condemn change of attitude toward Removal Pending Bridging Visa

[Phillips, Max (Sen K. Nettle)]

Greens condemn change of attitude toward Removal Pending Bridging Visa

 

30.08.06

 

Australian Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today condemned the attempted
deportation of Bangladeshi man to India.  

 

"Following the failure of the latest migration legislation, the
government appears to be returning to a hardline approach on asylum
seekers," said Senator Nettle.

 

"On the day the legislation was withdrawn, the Minister announced she
was sending asylum seekers to Nauru for the first time in 4 years.

 

"The Greens believe this is the first attempt to deport someone holding
a Removal Pending Bridging Visa and represents a change of attitude
toward this visa class.

 

"It is disturbing that the planned deportation was to India, when this
man is from Bangladesh.  Is this the 'deport and dump' attitude of old
resurfacing?    

 

"The Minister must explain why her department is trying to deport a
Bangladeshi man to India.  Does she need a geography lesson?

 

"There has been enough stuff-ups with deportations in the past, with the
cases of Vivian Solon and Robert Jovicic, and the reports of the deaths
of deported Afghan asylum seekers.

 

"The removal pending bridging visa was an ad hoc fix to take the
pressure of the government over the long-term detention of asylum
seekers.  It allowed these people to be released into the community
without the government losing face.

 

"Former long-term detainees now on RPBVs, many who are stateless such as
Peter Qasim, may well be facing imminent deportation with the apparent
change of attitude toward this visa class.

 

Contact: Jon Edwards 0428 213 146