[Greens-Media] Race to refugee cruelty in overdrive

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

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 25 July 2013

Race to refugee cruelty in overdrive

The Coalition's asylum policy is simply a dressed up version of the same old cruelty and neither of the old parties are offering the new way on refugee policy that this country needs, the Australian Greens have said.

"It's not people smuggling that's being smashed here, it's Australia's global reputation," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"The old parties' war on refugees is totally unacceptable and shows just how far they are willing to go to win the race to the bottom.



"Both Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott have lost touch with what it means for Australia to be a decent and caring country.



"The gulags on Nauru and Manus Island are a disaster now and will be future humanitarian time bomb.

"Tony Abbott's military rhetoric is deliberately inflammatory and grossly irresponsible.



"This is not a national emergency, it's a humanitarian emergency.



"What we need to see is a commitment to a genuine regional approach that cares for refugees with the kind of political leadership shown after the Vietnam War.


"The Houston Panel recommended Australia take 3,800 refugees out of Indonesia, giving them a safer pathway to protection.

"The Greens care for refugees and want to see them given a safer way to reach protection than a dangerous boat journey from Indonesia."


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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