[Greens-Media] Level heads needed in immigration debate

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

MEDIA RELEASE



Friday, 14 June 2013



Level heads needed in immigration debate



An important and reasoned discussion regarding the case of an Egyptian man accused of crimes by the Mubarak regime was made impossible by the hyperbolic rhetoric of the Coalition which is more interested in whipping up fear and hatred than dealing with the facts, the Australian Greens have said.



"This situation should have been handled delicately, but the Coalition's relentless fear mongering against refugees made that impossible," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.



"Their eagerness to exploit situations for their own political gain means they shoot first and ask questions later, ruining any chance of a rational debate on important issues.



"The reality is many of the people who are seeking protection around the world have fled oppressive regimes, where they do not have basic rights under the law which we take for granted here in Australia.



"No one who understands the realities faced by refugees who have fled abuse and persecution at the hands of oppressive regimes would be surprised that claims made by those regimes are not always correct.



"The Greens' essential role in the Senate is becoming increasingly clear as the Coalition's relentless fear campaign reaches its climax in the lead up to the election."



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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