Madeleine Ogilvie: Call to reopen Pontville

Labor Spokesperson for Multicultural Affairs Madeleine Ogilvie has called for the reopening of the Pontville Refugee Reception Centre, citing humane and economic benefits.

Australia spends billions of dollars on offshore processing of asylum seekers in places like Nauru and Manus Island.

Ms Ogilvie said some of that money would be better spent in Tasmania.

“The decent people of Tasmania offer our support to bring those incarcerated offshore to a reopened Pontville Refugee Reception centre,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“It would better serve the women, children and babies held in offshore detention camps to come here so that we can properly assess their refugee claims.

“Tasmanians have welcomed refugees and asylum seekers in the past and would again.

“Reopening Pontville would have a positive economic benefit for the state – creating jobs and bringing investment into Tasmania.

“I call on Tasmanians of all political stripes and persuasions to step up and call for change.”

Ms Ogilvie is helping to organise a community meeting at 1pm, July 3 at Parliament House, Hobart. To express interest or to RSVP please contact Jo Hand on 6212 2286.
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Labor Spokesperson for Multicultural Affairs