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Government must change policy on unaccompanied refugee children |
| 11 August 2011 |
 MA Media Release - 11 August 2011Mission Australia has called on the Australian Government to allow unaccompanied refugee children seeking asylum to stay in the country and is encouraging the leaders of the country’s churches and welfare agencies to raise their voices in public support. Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said most fair-minded people would be uncomfortable with the prospect of deporting unaccompanied minors. “Whatever their political beliefs, I believe the broader Australian population is not supportive of turning unaccompanied children away,” Mr Hall said. “It’s morally wrong and the government needs to change its policy. “Malaysia, Nauru or anywhere else, it doesn’t matter. Sending unaccompanied children away from our shores, to an uncertain future, is against our shared values. It’s not what Australia’s about. “Gradually we’re seeing a range of voices speak up against the policy. Last week Western Australia’s Premier, Colin Barnett, registered his opposition. This morning, Father Frank Brennan did the same. “We need more leading Australians – particularly from our churches and welfare agencies – to speak out in similar terms.” Earlier this week, Mission Australia announced its support of Melbourne’s Crossway Baptist church’s offer to accommodate and care for unaccompanied refugee children – at no cost to taxpayers. “Mission Australia is proud to back Crossway Baptist Church in its efforts. We’d be happy to work in similar ways with other reputable organisations. “If the government were to agree to Crossway’s offer, Mission Australia would use its expertise as one of the country’s largest providers of homelessness and youth services to support the church with developing policies and procedures to ensure the care of these children is delivered at the highest standards and with cultural sensitivity. “When the government was first elected in 2007 it promised a humane and even-handed approach to refugees. It promised community-led care of refugee children. “We’re calling on them to stick to those principles,” said Mr Hall. Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 |
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