Greens urge Gillard government to release asylum seeker children
The Australian Greens have today called on the Federal government to immediately release all children from detention centres on the mainland and Christmas island.
The party said it was time for Australia’s elected leaders to put the mental health of asylum seeker children first, by ensuring all minors were placed into community care while their applications and those of their families were assessed.
“There are more than 1,000 children in detention, and while the Immigration Minister says some will be released by the end of next month, he’s given no indication about what happens after that deadline,” Greens Immigration Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today in Melbourne.
“There is a practical, long-term solution to the government’s problems, if the government wants to take it. We have a workable alternative which would ensure no children are detained, thereby lessening damage to their mental health and development.
“This week we witnessed the Gillard government move toward resurrecting the failed Pacific solution of the former Howard government.
“Yesterday the Papua New Guinea government confirmed it was in talks to reopen a detention centre on Manus Island or elsewhere. The Australian government has already flagged the impending return of temporary protection visas.
“By contrast to the major parties, The Greens have policies which show genuine compassion to asylum seekers, especially children. I have several bills currently before parliament - one which would amend the Migration Act to remove the presumption of mandatory detention for asylum seekers aged under 18.
“The second bill would create a Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People to protect some of Australia’s most vulnerable people, whether they are citizens or asylum seekers.
“I urge every Federal politician to follow the will of most Australians and vote for The Green’s bill to set free asylum seeker children,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
