[Greens-Media] Government detention of pregnant refugees on bus is illegal: Greens

Mon Dec 1 14:24:23 EST 2014

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 1 December 2014

Government detention of pregnant refugees on bus is illegal: Greens

The government's decision to hold two pregnant refugees on a bus in the Northern Territory, despite being given refugee status and resettlement on Nauru, is illegal the Australian Greens have said.

"These women were brought to Australia after being resettled on Nauru and, by detaining them like this, the government is acting illegally," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"This is an extreme abuse of the Immigration Minister's power to detain people. Detention is only allowed to prepare for the purpose of a person's removal from Australia or to hold someone while processing their claim for a visa.

"This cruel move from the Abbott government will likely end in a legal challenge that could be avoided if the Minister didn't abuse his power.

"These women were living freely on Nauru and were brought to Australia by the Immigration Department because the necessary medical facilities don't exist on the island. They are now being held against their will by the Australian government.

"The fact that the government is holding pregnant women on a bus in temperatures above 30 degrees is extremely concerning. This is the Minister's call and he's choosing to hold these two women, and a ten year old child, when there is no purpose for doing so.

"The Abbott government should be caring for these pregnant women, not illegally bullying them back into detention.

"I call on the Immigration Minister to reverse his illegal decision to detain these vulnerable women and guarantee that they will be cared for in the Australian community."

Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760

NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

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