Hard line Australian immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s move to the backbench should reopen a conversation about refugees on Nauru coming to New Zealand, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has said today.
“Australia has a unique opportunity now that Peter Dutton has moved to the backbench.
“There are 119 children on Nauru who are languishing in despair. Every day spent in detention is another day robbed of their childhood and a safe and nurturing environment.
"These children and their families are victims of a detention policy described by Amnesty International as amounting to torture, and which the UN considers unlawful. In fact every person suffering persecution or war has a right to seek asylum.
“New Zealand has repeatedly offered to take refugees from Nauru. I urge Treasurer Scott Morrison, who is temporarily holding the immigration portfolio, to reconsider New Zealand’s offer.
"I trust our Prime Minister will once again reaffirm our offer to accept refugees whilst visiting the region, to place New Zealand on the right side of history on one of the gravest deliberate human rights abuses happening right here in our Pacific neighbourhood.
“The damage being done those children and their families who need help is despicable and New Zealand is willing to offer a place to call home”.
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