Thorp’s comments on refugees show Labor can’t be trusted

The Australian Greens say Labor Senator Lin Thorp’s claims that her party’s asylum policy was not set in stone shows Labor will say and do anything to win.

Tony Burke reiterated today that children will be sent to Nauru and no one should believe otherwise, but Senator Thorpe, with an eye to the much more caring Tasmanian community, says the policy is not set in stone.

“While I’m not surprised Senator Thorp is uncomfortable with her party’s harsh and populist moves to punish refugees her comments against Prime Minister Rudd’s PNG and Nauru plans just show you can’t trust Labor to stick to its promises,” said Senator Milne.

“If there is genuine dissent in the Labor caucus room I call on Prime Minister Rudd to be honest with Australians and reverse his cruel asylum seeker policies now, before the election.

“Tasmanians have opened their hearts and homes to the young asylum seekers being held in Pontville because they care about refugees as people and it is shameful Labor still has 2,000 children locked in detention indefinitely.”
Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne