[Greens-Media] Playing politics with people’s lives

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

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 8 November 2013

Playing politics with people’s lives

Vulnerable refugees have been caught up in an ongoing political spat between the Coalition and the Indonesian Government, the Australian Greens have said.

Amid reports of a mid-ocean standoff between Australian and Indonesian authorities after a failed refugee boat turn-around, there is only deafening silence coming from the Australian Government.

“Refugees are being used in a potentially deadly game of political brinksmanship,” the Australian Greens immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Poor, vulnerable people are stranded on a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean and it appears no one is willing to help them. This is inhumane and unacceptable.

“The people on this boat have been turned into political pawns. The Coalition needs to end the cruelty and bring these refugees to Australia to have their claims assessed.

“The government seems intent on hiding information from the public, but the Australian people have a right to know what is being done in their names.”


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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