[Greens-Media] Abbott government in court on back of grave injustices

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

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Abbott government in court on back of grave injustices

A High Court case being heard today regarding the 157 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, who were detained on the high seas for a month, is a result of the government's arrogance and its obsession with cruelty, the Australian Greens have said.

"The government has gotten itself into a legal mess," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"It's being dragged before the courts, over and over again, because of its obsession with cruelty.

"The government is expecting to lose this case and, in a cowardly move, has already introduced a bill to pre-empt that outcome. They are trying to give themselves a license to breach international law and the standards of common decency.

"This is a government that shoots first and asks questions later."

In a second case being argued today, the government is defending its bizarre claim that babies born in Australia came by boat.

"These babies deserve protection," Senator Hanson-Young said.

"Saying that babies who were born in Australian hospitals came by boat is farcical. Through this ridiculous and cruel argument, the government is trying to make a generation of children stateless.

"Australia should be processing people's claims and offering protection to those who deserve it, not getting caught up in costly legal battles because of its cruel practices."


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
[fb-icon]<https://www.facebook.com/Senator.Sarah.Hanson.Young>[twt-icon]<https://twitter.com/sarahinthesen8> [ag-icon] <http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org.au/>
Level 7 / 147 Pirie St, Adelaide, SA 5000
TEL  +61 8 8227 0425   |   MOB  +61 427 604 760   |   FAX  +61 8 8227 0426

[email_sig]