‘9 Years Too Long’ of Offshore Detention

Media release – Greens Immigration and Citizenship Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim, 19 July 2022

Nine Years Too Long

The nine year anniversary of Labor’s decision to begin indefinite offshore detention should give the new government pause for thought and incentive to develop a new policy framework, the Greens say.

“This is a humanitarian crisis that has now lasted nine long years, and there are still many hundreds of people who do not have permanent protection,” Greens Immigration and Citizenship Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“That is nine years of torture, death, brutality and deliberate cruelty, and blood on the hands of three successive Australian Governments of both political stripe.”

“People have been murdered, shot at, sexually assaulted, and died through medical neglect.”

“It has cost tens of billions of dollars, provided inspiration for far right and neo-Nazi groups, and set refugee politics back decades around the world.”

“It is time we wrote an ending to this dark and bloody chapter in our country’s story.”

“The offshore prisons need to close, the turnbacks need to stop, and we need to resettle the hundreds of people who are still without a permanent home.”

“And we need a Royal Commission to hold accountable those who are responsible, and to ensure this never happens again.”