[Greens-Media] Howard heartless on HIV refugees

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

01.06.07

Howard heartless on HIV refugees


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today rejected the Prime Minister's view
that refugees with HIV or other serious diseases should not be allowed
into Australia.

"The Prime Minister's heartless approach to refugees is taken to new
depths by his announcement today that he wants to reject refugees who
are unfortunate enough to be suffering from disease as well as
persecution," Senator Nettle said.

"Australia has a responsibility to accept refugees who are fleeing
persecution. The fact that some may be suffering from disease does not
change that responsibility.

"The HIV epidemic in Africa means that a blanket ban on accepting HIV
positive refugees will severely limit Australia's ability to continue a
proud record of accepting refugees from Africa.

"These comments also send the wrong message on being HIV positive.
Already people who are HIV positive suffer unnecessary discrimination in
our community. The Prime Minister saying that HIV suffers should be
locked out of the country doesn't help.

"It's simply not credible for the Prime Minister to suggest that he is
worried about the cost to our health system to care for these people
when his government is happy to waste hundreds of millions on
advertising each year.

"Australia is a rich country with a strong health system. We can and
should be able to cope with the very small number of refugees who are
HIV positive."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146