[Greens-Media] Senate backs refugee children over Abbott cruelty

Wed Jul 16 16:45:45 EST 2014

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Senate backs refugee children over Abbott cruelty

The Senate has voted in support of a Greens' motion calling on the Immigration Minister to act in the interests of a group of refugee children who have gone into hiding in South Australia.

"The Senate has said that it won't accept the government's cruelty and Tony Abbott needs to take notice," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Hanson-Young said.

"It's unacceptable that children in South Australia are running scared from the Immigration Minister, their supposed legal guardian.

"These children are Scott Morrison's responsibility but, instead of caring for them, he has frightened and now lost them. If he can't care for them properly, he needs to hand his guardianship to someone who can.

"By supporting this motion, Senators of all stripes have told the Minister that he must act in the best interest of these children, not throw them behind bars.

"Unaccompanied children should be spared from the cruel politics of this Abbott Government but, as we speak, dozens are languishing on Christmas Island and Nauru.

"The Immigration Minister must now explain to the Parliament what he will do to ensure that these missing children will be cared for and kept safe in the future.

"At its heart, Australia is a generous nation and I will continue to work with Senators from all sides to bring an end to this needless cruelty."

The motion, as passed by the Senate, reads;

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

I move that;

The Senate expresses its concern for the asylum seeker children who are currently missing in South Australia. Noting that the Minister for Immigration is the legal guardian of these unaccompanied minors, the Senate urges the government to act in their best interest and ensure their safety.

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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