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Global campaign to end child detention wants 428 video messages from Australian youth

May 3, 2012

May 2012 marks the twelfth month of detention for one of the 428 children currently in Australian facilities. In May, Australia also becomes the first in a series of countries being highlighted by the Global Campaign to End Immigration Detention of Children. This campaign was launched on 21st March 2012 at the UN Human Rights Council. Australian campaign members will use the month of May to push for an end to Australia’s policy of indefinitely detaining all children and families before…

Home placement scheme for asylum seekers compassionate and cheaper way to care for refugees: Greens

May 3, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

The Gillard government’s offer of payments to Australians who want to house asylum seekers is a compassionate move that will improve the mental health of fragile people and save taxpayers money, the Greens said today. “The Greens are pleased the Immigration Department sees the sense of a home placement scheme, which is a better use of public money than keeping asylum seekers detained indefinitely while their protection claims are assessed,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “Various forms of…

Govt review of 24 Indonesian kids’ cases long overdue and now the law must be changed: Greens

May 3, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

The Australian Greens are relieved the Attorney-General has finally agreed to review the cases of 24 convicted Indonesian boat crew who may be children. The Greens have renewed calls on the government to back Greens’ legislation already before the parliament to ensure no child is locked in an adult prison. “Any child found to be imprisoned in an adult jail must be released and sent home to their family with a sincere apology,” Greens’ immigration and human rights spokesperson, Sen.…

Bowen maintains shameful policy of keeping 428 asylum seeker children detained: Greens

April 27, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

Figures showing 428 children remain detained demonstrate the Immigration Minister continues to flout our international obligations and neglects his duty as legal guardian to act in their best interests, the Australian Greens said today. “Australia is still punishing, rather than protecting, vulnerable children by locking them up simply because they have fled war, torture and persecution,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “We must change the law because children are being detained as a matter of course and the…

Abbott speech shows Coalition can’t accept reality on asylum seekers: Greens

April 27, 2012

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Archived Press Releases

Tony Abbott has today shown he can’t accept reality and is stuck in the past by maintaining his dogma which breaches international law and punishes people rather than protects them, the Australian Greens said. “Mr Abbott keeps bleating his mantra about turning back boats and reinstating temporary protection visas, despite knowing full well their ramifications,” Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said. “The navy says it will not turn boats around because it is well aware of Australia’s responsibilities under…