My letter as published in the SMH Monday 19.9.11 -
The Editor,
SMH.
It is becoming clear that the Gillard government has boxed itself into a corner on refugee policy. We now see the opportunist Tony Abbott as the advocate of human rights, with Gillard and her ministers abandoning this country's commitment to the refugee convention.
It is still not too late for the government to make a turn towards Labor Party policy and platform.
The ALP national platform states, chapter 7, paragraph 157, ''Protection claims made in Australia will be assessed by Australians on Australian territory,'' which is a clear endorsement of onshore processing.
Julia Gillard, abandon the proposed legislation, reread the High Court decision, listen to your party, and process refugees onshore, giving effect to Australia's human rights obligations.
Jenny Haines Newtown
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/letters/bowen-and-abbott-both-out-of-touch-with-reality-20110918-1kg8k.html#ixzz1YLcnFnUP
About Me
- JENNY'S RED NEWS
- Dear Fellow Bloggers, For some time I have thought about starting a left of centre news and commentary service and I have tried to do this by using email. But as some good, but email overloaded friends have suggested, a better way to go may be by blogging. So here it is! Jenny's Red News. My primary interests are left of centre politics and the very important question of how can we get left of centre parties, groups and grouplets in Australia working together more co-operatively. The right of centre predominates politics in this country at the present time, and they are on the march. We on the left of centre need to work together more co-operatively and constructively to put the left of centre agenda out there, for the perusal and consumption of the Australian people. Particular topics that will be reported on and on which comments are welcome are: Industrial relations - Opposition to Workchoices Refugee and Asylum Seekers Human Rights Civil Liberties Opposition to the Welfare to Work Changes Health System Reform Aboriginal Health and Reconciliation Jenny Haines posted by JENNY'S RED NEWS at 12:50 AM 0 comments