THE Federal Government is to introduce legislation banning those who arrived in Australia by boat from July 2013 onwards from ever being able to apply for a visa to stay in Australia.
Bishop Vincent Long who is a member of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and delegate for Migrants and Refugees, recently said “seeking asylum is not illegal; it is a basic human right. Not content with deporting them, the Government now wants to introduce laws that will ban them from ever coming here. The motives for these measures in light of the current situation on Manus Island and Nauru are questionable at best and sinister at worst”
The living conditions in these detention centres are appalling, effecting their health, spirits and self-respect.
A former boat person himself, Bishop Long went on to say “to single out and punish the people coming here by boat, even if found to meet the refugee definition is cruel and un-Australian. I urge all Australians to reject these cruel and unnecessary measures. We must fund a more just, humane and effective way in dealing with the complex issues of seeking asylum and refugee protection.
Read Bishop Long’s statement