I will be chasing up on a few different issues soon, but for now I will continue to hound our government overlords about their stance on refugee and asylum seekers. The expansion of the community detention program is making slight headway in treating people more humanely in our community, but we are a long shot from replicating the broad and accomodating migrant camps we were able to sustain in generations past. Chris Bowen you haven't heard the end of this!!
Dear Minister,
I am writing to you to express my concern over the government's 'Malaysia Solution' that fails to guarantee the safety of vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in their plight for protection. One of the most troublesome elements of your government's policy is the failure to ensure detainees will be no worse off in the custody of the Malaysian government. I urge you to pursue talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to articulate what measures will be taken to ensure that detainees are treated humanely with dignity and respect.
I am also concerned about plans to disallow unaccompanied minors entry into Australia. Matters relating to refugees and asylum seekers should be assessed on a case by case basis, rather than assuming that the motives of every arrival are suspect. We should be seeking to protect the most vulnerable, not isolating them and refusing them shelter from persecution. I urge your government to review its current policy and reflect upon the positive contributions that refugees and asylum seekers past and present have made to our country.
Sincerely,
ME
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