… and her call for a Royal Commission
Independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie has called on the Prime Minister to stop his unbalanced personal attacks on Australian Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs – and to get on with the job of ensuring that children are released from detention centers.
“When it comes to securing our borders, I have to give praise to the Abbott government. They did what they promised. They put the corrupt overseas officials, people smugglers and their boats out of business. They stopped rich foreigners from bribing and rorting their way through Asia into Australia.
They stopped the regular, mass drowning of men, women and children at sea. They proved that Labor’s and the Greens’ immigration policies were dangerously flawed and poorly administered. They increased the chances of legitimate refugees being granted asylum in Australia by valid means.
However, the good that the Liberals did for Australia’s border protection and national security, is about to be overshadowed by the vindictive, personal attacks that they’ve launched on Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs.
Why is the Abbott government so scared of a Royal Commission recommended by Professor Triggs? When it comes to prioritising human rights abuses, surely the systemic abuse of hundreds of Children in our government’s care – goes to the top of the list?
And public servants tasked with their protection and whose job it is to speak out on children’s behalf, should be given a medal – rather than have muck thrown at them, by desperate and disconnected politicians. Most Australians would agree that keeping children locked up in immigration detention camps is a deplorable situation.
We all share a great shame because of the dreadful harm, which has occurred to these innocent little humans. A Royal Commission will help us properly learn the lessons. It will help stop, not only the illegal boats in the future – but also the mistakes we made in dealing with these children. Every one of Australia’s major political parties should come in for criticism for the role they played in this humanitarian tragedy.
Mr Abbott promised Australia after the Liberal’s party room meeting last Monday to do things differently. Attacking a respected Australian dedicated to protecting the human rights of innocent children is not only stupid politics, which will further damage the liberal brand – it is more evidence that Mr Abbott has not changed. It shows Mr Abbott is incapable of change and is doomed to endlessly repeat the same silly political mistakes, which caused last Monday’s near-death political experience.” said Senator Lambie.
Rob Messenger
