[Greens-Media] Greens to order turn-back footage from Government in attempt to clear Navy’s name

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

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Greens to order turn-back footage from Government in attempt to clear Navy’s name

The Australian Greens will give notice of a motion in the Senate today, ordering the Government to produce any footage recorded during a controversial tow-back that took place in early January.

“This Government’s obsession with secrecy has turned Operation Sovereign Borders into Operation Blame the Soldiers,” the Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“There is footage of the incident and, if this Government really cared about clearing the Navy’s name, they would end the secrecy surrounding this turn-back.

“Bullying the media into ignoring the story and shouting down your opponents isn’t an appropriate response to these serious allegations.

“Letting a cloud of suspicion gather over the brave Australian men and women who are implementing the Government’s dangerous policies is a cowardly move from the Coalition.

“When this motion passes the Senate, the Government will have a clear choice to make. On One side is the power of the Parliament and an opportunity to clear the Navy’s name while on the other is the Government’s arrogance and more self-interested secrecy.”

Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760


The Greens’ motion will read;

MOTION

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

I move –
That the Senate orders that all video recordings, audio recordings and photographs taken during the interception and turn-back of an asylum seeker vessel named the ‘Riski’, that occurred between 1 January 2014 and 6 January 2014, be presented to the President, under standing order 166 (2) for presentation to the Senate, by the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection by no later than 4pm on Wednesday 2 April, 2014.


NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

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