From: Mike
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 4:38 PM
To: luke.hartsuyker.MP@aph.gov.au
Subject: Latest changes for asylum seekers
Dear Mr Hartsuyker,
Over the past two days, I have been
reading about the government’s latest plans for asylum seekers and refugees who
have been brought to Australia over a period of time to receive medical
treatment. My reaction, and the reaction of all those I have spoken to,
including many of the 100 people who signed our RAR petition at yesterday’s
Harbourside market, is one of anger and disbelief. You will be aware that,
following widespread protests at earlier attempts to forcibly return this group
to Nauru and Manus island, the government agreed to allow them to stay. One
third of these people are children, some of them born here, and others
attending school.
Your government is now saying that
their meagre allowance will cease as of today, and that in three weeks’ time,
they will be made deliberately homeless, in a cruel and inhumane bid to coerce
them into leaving Australia.
Where are these people expected to go?
The detention centres on Nauru and Manus are both due to close in a matter of
weeks, and the 370+ people in this group have been barred from seeking
resettlement in the US. These people are living in our communities and are
trying to rebuild their shattered lives. How do you imagine they feel on
receiving a document which chillingly includes the following statement: “Please
remind your children that they will also be required to abide by Australian
values and laws. Breaking Australian laws may result in their removal from the
community.”?
This is not about saving lives or
protecting our borders. This is nothing more than yet another cruel and
calculated ploy designed to punish the most vulnerable in our society for
political ends. You will be judged harshly by your electorate if you do not
take a stand against this inhumanity.
I urge you to speak out against this
latest affront to Australian values of compassion and humanity. Please put
principle before political calculation, and stand with these refugees who have
a right to our support.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Griffin
\Valla Beach
NSW 2448
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