Changing Migration Zones Shames Us As Australians
November 07, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2012
Changing Migration Zones Shames Us As Australians
Josephites condemn latest legislation
Josephites are shocked, horrified and deeply saddened by the measure before Parliament to excise the mainland from the migrations zone.
We oppose the legislation on three grounds. It is an abandonment of our nation’s moral responsibility towards some of the most vulnerable people in the world. It is an erosion of the Australian values of a fair go for all, and concern for the underdog. It is a direct contradiction of Labor’s promises of compassion for asylum seekers and refugees, and their claims during the Howard years, that such a law is ‘lunacy and ludicrous’.
‘This legislation shames us as Australians,’ said Josephite leader, Anne Derwin. ‘We were aware that the proposal was in the Houston Report, but believed that it was so opposed to Labor policy and such a blatant attempt to put politicking before human life, that it would not gain traction. In this deeply troubling and disturbing turn of events, the Australian Parliament is failing us and the people who are in greatest need’.
‘We grieve for those who will suffer enormously because of the actions of our Government, but we also mourn the apparent undermining of what is best in our nation’s values. There has to be a better way; there has to be a more humane way,’ said Sr Anne, ‘and as Josephites and as Australians, we believe there is – onshore processing.’
Contact:
Jan Barnett rsj 0403 634 534
Josephite Justice Coordinator
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The Josephite Justice Office is a ministry of the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Congregations of the Sisters of St Joseph. We educate, advocate and work for justice, for earth and people, especially those pushed to the edges. For more about the Sisters of St Joseph, visit www.sosj.org.au
