[Greens-Media] Andrews should reveal truth about lawyers for Sri Lankans

[Bolwell, Kristian (Sen K. Nettle)]

Andrews should reveal truth about lawyers for Sri Lankans

5 July 2007

Australian Greens Immigration  Spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle today
called on Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews to reveal whether the Sri
Lankan asylum seekers being held on Nauru were given a genuine
opportunity to get legal advice.

"It is clear that these people came to Australia seeking refuge, but now
realise they are caught in a murky political fix called the 'Pacific
Solution'," said Senator Nettle.
 
"It seems many of the Sri Lankans were not aware they were entitled to
seek legal advice or thought it might prejudice their case to engage
lawyers.

"There is a transparency issue here. The   existing system of assigning
government funded lawyers to newly arrived asylum seekers should be
expanded to asylum seekers in Nauru.

"The lack of procedural fairness and access to legal advice and the
Australian legal system was a key issue when the Prime Minster's
legislation to send all asylum seekers to Nauru failed to get support in
the parliament.

"It seems the Sri Lankan and Burmese  asylum seekers will be left to
suffer in Nauru until after the election unless the government convinces
another country to take them.  This is not the action of a compassionate
and fair nation.

"The Greens want an end to offshore processing on both Nauru and
Christmas Island. We want all asylum seekers to be brought to the
Australian mainland to live in the community while their asylum claims
are resolved and to receive government funded legal support."

Contact: Kristian Bolwell 0411 638 320

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Kristian Bolwell
Office of Greens Senator for NSW 
Senator Kerry Nettle
T:(02) 96902038
F:(02) 96902041
M:0411638320
www.kerrynettle.org.au