[Greens-Media] MEDIA: Greens MP appalled at Christmas Island appointment

[Chapple, Robin]

Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region


MEDIA RELEASE


Greens MP appalled at Christmas Island appointment

Friday 3rd October 2014

Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC has reacted with disbelief to the appointment of former Liberal MP and refugee hardliner Barry Haase as Administrator of Christmas Island.

"I am appalled and saddened by the appointment, which is yet another example of 'jobs for the boys', but I'm not surprised," Mr Chapple said.

"Barry Haase is well known for his unsympathetic views on asylum seekers, similar to those held by Minister for Immigration Scott Morrison, which is obviously why he got the job.

"Some of Mr Haase's choice comments include: 'there would be no self-harm in the detention centres ... if they hadn't got on a leaky boat', denying that the Government's handling of the situation has anything to do with the desperate situation of refugees, when independent investigations have found that it quite clearly does!

"I shudder to think what his response will be to child sexual abuse and other sexual assaults at the centre.

"I have visited Christmas Island numerous times and have good friends there. It is a wonderful community, and a beautiful and fascinating natural environment, and there's no denying the presence of this savage detention centre casts a pall over the whole island," Mr Chapple said.

Mr Chapple agrees with outgoing Administrator Jon Stanhope, who has criticized the Federal Government's hard-hearted and insensitive approach to asylum seekers, of which this appointment is just another example. Mr Stanhope had likened the current period in Australia's history as it relates to refugees to the White Australia Policy and the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families or Stolen Generations policy.


For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255


All the best

Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
PO Box 94, West Perth WA 6872
41 Havelock Street, West Perth. WA 6005

Phone: (08) 9486 8255 | Email: Robin.Chapple at mp.wa.gov.au<mailto:Robin.Chapple at mp.wa.gov.au>  | Freecall: 1800 138 610 | WEB: http://robinchapple.com/
Ask a Parliamentary Question<http://www.robinchapple.com/ask-a-question-in-parliament> - Send a Letter to the Editor<http://www.robinchapple.com/write-letter-editor> of your choice - Email a Minister<http://www.robinchapple.com/email-minister> are all services we supply.
Anonymous Tip Off's can be sent here<http://www.robinchapple.com/tip-offs>
[Description: Description: Description: twitter logo]<https://twitter.com/#!/ChappleMLC>[facebookIcon]<http://www.facebook.com/GreensForMiningPastoral>
? please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
This message and its attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information. It is intended solely for the named addressee. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to the addressee), you may not copy or deliver this message or its attachments to anyone. Rather, you should permanently delete this message and its attachments and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Any content of this message and its attachments which does not relate to the official business of the above mentioned organisations or person must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by any of them. No warranty is made that the e-mail or attachment(s) are free from computer virus or other defect.