Liberal members in Tasmania have repeatedly said to me that what has happened to individuals in detention may be sad but necessary to fulfill Liberal policy.

How can anyone still persist to gain a policy end that has innocent and desperate refugee people so further damaged and destroyed by Australian actions against them.

The effects of the past means to the end are condemned by HREOC, Amnesty International, UN, the people of Australia and our own Senate findings.

As in Germany the people in Australia can no longer claim ignorance of the hidden away cruelties. This time there is a clear moral imperative to shift, not harden our ground.

Helen Tait
West Launceston