The Pacific Solution - welcome first steps
We welcome the important first steps the Federal Government has taken in dismantling the Pacific Solution. We are now calling for a full commitment to swiftly end the policy of processing asylum seekers off shore.
The Government has announced that seven men from Myanmar who have been held on Nauru since August last year have been granted refugee status, and could be living in Australia within 2 weeks. Federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans has also indicated that the Sri Lankans still on Nauru will be resettled next month.
This is great start for the new Government, and will certainly be a welcome early Christmas present for those who have been languishing in the detention centre on Nauru.
The Australian Government must now take the next step and close all off shore processing centres, including Nauru and Christmas Island, restore excise territories to Australias migration zone, and end the policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers.


Comments
Robyn Debnam | Posted on 23 December 2007, 05:05PM | Report comment
Hopefully this is the first of
many corrections to the inhumane
policies of the previous government. May we look forward to becoming a more
compassionate, caring and just society for all peoples.
Jenny Haines | Posted on 21 December 2007, 12:33PM | Report comment
Congratulations to the new government for moving ahead with implementing its promises and its policy. Shows the difference between Labor and Liberal.
Chris Nestor | Posted on 20 December 2007, 07:32PM | Report comment
I congratulate the new government on this initial action in respect to those being held in Nauru. It is time that all the repugnant, inhumane aspects of the ‘Howard’ government’s Pacific Solution are completely dismantled and e-Rudd-icated, and that a more enlightened approach is adopted.
cathie bond | Posted on 20 December 2007, 04:21PM | Report comment
Congratulations to the Labor Govenment on the speedy action re. Nauru. Now, please, can we end the suffering of Temporary Protection Visas, particularly those held by refugees who spent years in Immigration detention, and who will bear the scars of their inhumane treatment forever. They need the security of Permanent Protection NOW!
John Aitek | Posted on 13 December 2007, 01:01AM | Report comment
This new Labor government may not be so bad after all.