[Greens-Media] SENATOR KERRY NETTLE: Government poised to send child to detention in Nauru

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

25.05.06


Government poised to send child to detention in Nauru

Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle has warned that any
move to send the Afghani family who has arrived on Thursday Island
seeking asylum to Nauru would represent the reintroduction of the policy
of locking up children and be a betrayal of the deal done with Coalition
backbenchers last year to end this cruel practice.

"The Immigration Department's stated intention to send this family of
asylum seekers to Nauru will put a 9 year old boy in detention and be a
clear breach of Australia's obligations under the UN Refugee
Convention," Senator Nettle said.

"Australia can and should process their claims on the mainland whilst
allowing then to live in the community in the meantime.

"Afghanistan continues to be a very dangerous place where earlier this
week at least 16 civilians were killed in Coalition bombing raids and an
Australian soldier was injured this week.

"To send this family to Nauru will bring further shame on Australia,
cost the taxpayer millions of dollars and only succeed in bringing more
pain to this desperate family.

"The Minister must explain why it is in Australia's interest to pursue
this bizarre and cruel policy."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146