Vinnies Criticise Malaysia Deal
28 July 2011 at 11:59 am
National Council Chief Executive, Dr John Falzon, says the deal presents a false and demeaning picture of the plight of refugees.
Dr Falzon says the last thing Australia should be doing is to reinforce the myth of “deserving” versus “undeserving” asylum seekers.
He says despite the hype engaged in by both sides of politics, the reality is that Australia is the destination of only 2% of the people seeking asylum in industrialized nations across the world.
He says sadly, many people across the globe continue to live in conditions that are dangerous and de-humanising and Australia should play a responsible role in providing a safe haven for the people who need it, irrespective of the means by which they have sought to come here.
Dr Falzon says as the Government well knows, theses people are exercising a legitimate right in requesting asylum and they should have their claims processed with dignity and speed, without unnecessary detention and on Australian soil.
Vinnies National President, Anthony Thornton adds that the famine in the Horn of Africa has left at least 10 million people in need of food, water and basic facilities.
He says half of these are children and if Australia wants an example of why it needs to act with compassion as a nation in the global context, look no further.
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia supports the Caritas East Africa Crisis Appeal.
http://www.caritas.org.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=East_Africa_Crisis_Appeal
