[Greens-Media] Cuban solution -'bizarre political stunt'

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

Cuban solution -'bizarre political stunt'


18.04.07


Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the
government to stop using asylum seekers as political pawns and agree to
resettle refugees in Australia.

"This latest move to send refugees who come to Australia by boat to the
USA in exchange for Cuban migrants held in Guantanamo bay is simply
bizarre," Senator Nettle said.

"Giving asylum seekers a fast track to a Green Card is hardly a
deterrent to people smugglers as the Prime Minister claims.

"This is an outrages political stunt that uses asylum seekers as
political pawns.

"The government's logic is so twisted when it comes to refugees that it
defies understanding.

"The Government is now prepared to take Cubans who are overwhelmingly
economic migrants in exchange for Sri Lankans who are refugees in fear
of their lives.

"The Greens are happy to see more Cubans travelling to Australia but to
see them take the places of refugees we have intercepted at sea is
hardly the way to do it.

"This madness must end. The government should take the small number of
refugees who seek asylum in Australia by boat and if there is a need to
accommodate Cuban migrants then that should be done through appropriate
migration visas.

"All of this still leaves Nauru to deal with sea bound asylum seekers
and still leaves Australia in breach of the international refugee
conventions is has signed up to."


Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213146