Labor’s decision to oppose Greens legislation to evacuate refugees and people seeking asylum to safety in Australia – despite the bill being consistent with ALP policy – is an abject moral failure, the Greens say.
“Labor’s decision to oppose the Bill is devastating for the people still trapped in PNG and Nauru,” Greens Immigration and Citizenship Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“Labor has put its flawed political calculus above the lives of refugees it sent into exile a decade ago.”
“This Bill is entirely consistent with the policy Labor took to the last election. For Labor not to vote for it is an abject moral failure and a rejection of the values of its voters.”
“Labor has a moral responsibility to end this humanitarian crisis.”
“They sent people to Nauru and Manus Island in the first place, and ten years later around 150 people still remain in limbo.”
“We have worked in good faith to find a way through for the toxic refugee politics that the two major parties have created.”
“The only barrier to this solution is now the courage of Labor MPs and Senators.”