[Greens-Media] Immigration failure - Government must move beyond band-aid solution

[Simms, Robert (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Wednesday, 19 May 2009 

--- MEDIA RELEASE ---

Immigration failure - Government must move beyond band-aid solution 

Reports today that the immigration department have asked churches to
house asylum seekers due to overcrowding on Christmas Island, yet again
highlights the need for the Government to overhaul its failing
immigration system, according to the Australian Greens.

"This piece-meal approach to asylum seekers is not a practical or long
term solution. The Government needs to move past band-aids such as this
and actually acknowledge its international obligations," said the Greens
Immigration Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. 

"Churches and other community groups should be commended for showing
compassion to vulnerable people, when the state is failing. However it
is not appropriate for the Government to shirk its responsibilities.
They need to step up and make the policy changes required." 

"Unfortunately, after promising an end to indefinite detention and no
children in detention, Labor has backflipped and toed the Howard line on
immigration. They're putting party politics ahead of what is right and
it shouldn't be left up to the non-government sector to pick up the
slack."

Senator Hanson-Young said that an end to processing on Christmas Island
and an end to indefinite detention, should be the cornerstone of any
compassionate immigration policy.

"The Greens will continue to provide leadership on this important issue.
We will be taking a long term, practical and humane immigration policy
to the next election. We call on all parties to do the same," Senator
Hanson-Young said. 


Media contact: Robert Simms - 0427 604 760 


Robert Simms  
Adviser 
Community Liaison & Campaigns 
Office of Sarah Hanson-Young 
Greens Senator for South Australia 
Ground Floor, Telstra Building 
30 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000 
Ph: (08) 8231 9911 / Fax: (08) 8211 7533
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