[Greens-Media] No ‘solution’ in PNG deal

[Schultz-Byard, Noah (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

No ‘solution’ in PNG deal

The government’s cruel deal with Papua New Guinea will not deter refugees, including unaccompanied children, who see a boat to Australia as their only option, the Australian Greens have said.

“Kevin Rudd is rushing to extreme refugee cruelty as he rushes to the polls, but the PNG deal won’t solve the humanitarian crisis in our region,” the Greens immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“The Australian Government plans to send terrified refugee children to PNG who have no family members to look after them, simply because they fled war and persecution in any way they could.

“Minister Burke has said children sent to PNG, who have family in Australia, will not be reunited with their relatives. This is a cold, cruel policy that the government has wheeled out for cheap political gain.

“We know that there are unaccompanied children in Indonesia who see a dangerous boat journey as their only path to safety.

“Australia should dramatically increase its intake of refugees from Indonesia, giving these children a safer pathway to protection.

“The Houston Panel recommended we undertake an emergency resettlement of 3,800 refugees out of Indonesia but the government hasn’t acted.

“More refugees are forced into the hands of people smugglers every day that this government leaves them languishing in Indonesia.

“The Greens are standing up for vulnerable people and want to see Australia lead a genuine regional approach that cares for refugees.”


Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760


NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  MEDIA ADVISER

OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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