Immediate action, not more talk, needed on child detainees

Minister for Immigration Tony Burke must take immediate action to release child detainees at Pontville into the community, according to Greens Candidate for Denison Anna Reynolds.

“While the community was heartened at Mr Burke’s announcement that his Department would work on the release of child detainees at Pontville, it means nothing if they are not released quickly.”

“I call on Mr Burke and the State Government to put people, specifically children, before politics on this issue,” Ms Reynolds said.

“The State Government could help speed things up by convening a meeting of key people in Mr Burke’s department to kickstart the process of screening families for homestay.”

Ms Reynolds said there are 100 families in and around Hobart ready and willing to host teenage detainees.

“Children, wherever they are from, deserve the warmth of a family, instead of the cold loneliness of a detention centre,” she said.

“The urgency for the Minister to get moving is even greater with more children being detained at Pontville just yesterday.

“There is no sign of a deadline being given by the Minister to his department, which makes it seem that there is a lot of talk and very little action.

“Every day that those children remain in detention is a tragedy for them and a sad indictment on Australia.”

The Hobart community has led the nation in campaigning for a more compassionate approach to the treatment of children in detention in Australia.

“There will be strong community support for the Minister if he has the courage to move quickly to end this inhumane situation.”
Anna Reynolds, Greens Candidate for Denison