On Tuesday 8 August, the federal government will reintroduce legislation into Parliament that will remove some of the most basic rights that all asylum-seekers fleeing persecution deserve.
The discredited Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill (DUA bill) – which even a Senate Inquiry dominated by Liberal Party Senators unequivocally recommended should not be passed – will rear its ugly head once more.
The DUA bill will result in the effective excision of the whole of Australia for migration purposes for refugees that arrive in Australia by boat. Under the bill, all these people – children included – will now be forcibly transferred to Nauru to have their protection applications processed.
In response to the overwhelming community opposition to the bill, the Prime Minister suggested a number of amendments to the original proposal. However, these changes do not go anywhere near far enough to cure the fundamental flaws in the bill that make it inherently unfair and unjust.
What you can do to help
There are presently a handful of Senators who have not yet indicated that they intend to support the DUA bill. A Just Australia (AJA) encourages all its supporters and anyone concerned about the treatment of refugees in Australia to contact these Senators, make your views heard and let them know that you support them opposing this bill:
Senator Steve Fielding (Family First - Victoria)
Senator Barnaby Joyce (Nationals - Queensland)
Senator Marise Payne (Liberal - NSW)
Senator Judith Troeth (Liberal – Victoria)
Senator George Brandis (Liberal – Queensland)
Senator Russell Trood (Liberal – Queensland)
Senator Brett Mason (Liberal - Queensland)
It has been concerted community opposition and support for the position taken by the dissenting Coalition MPs and Senators that has delayed the introduction of this bill. Together we can make sure that it is defeated once and for all.
Read AJA's most recent letter to Senators sent on 31 July 2006
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