By Mitchell Clarke
Local refugee advocates have welcomed Monash MP Russell Broadbent’s calls for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to accept New Zealand’s offer to settle 150 refugees.
Mr Broadbent, who has a history of going against his party on the treatment of refugees, made it clear he believes Australia has no future continuing to keep refugees on Manus Island and Nauru for indefinite detention.
Former Outlook CEO and social activist Tony Fitzgerald has described the decision to knock back New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s offer to take detainees is “shameful” (see On A Soapbox, page 13).
“The government’s continuation of the politics of fear for dubious political gain is unconscionable,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“There is fortunately one politician who has had the courage to speak out against this human tragedy and that is our local MP Russell Broadbent.”
Mr Fitzgerald has described indefinite offshore detention as a “breach and violation of human rights”.
“We incarcerate innocent people who now live without hope of release and it seems for the ‘term of their natural lives’,” he said.
“History repeats and we good Australians standby, look on and do nothing while this horror continues on and on before our eyes.”
Anne Jones, a member of Casey/Cardinia for Refugees said refugee groups across Australia work tirelessly raising awareness about the mental and physical suffering of those who sought asylum.
“Any moves that Russell Broadbent can make in influencing the New Zealand offer, which has been offered numerous times, would bring immediate relief and hope to people suffering offshore,” Ms Jones said.
“This could help restore hope among activist groups that there will be an end to Australia’s unacceptable response to refugees.
“It’s so heartening to hear that Russell has again expressed his concern for the cause.”
Speaking to ABC’s Patricia Karvelas, Mr Broadbent confirmed he’d like to see Australia pursue the offer, contrary to his government’s view.
“I think both nations would like it resolved, we’d like it resolved as soon as possible,” Mr Broadbent said.
“The generous, heartfelt approach from the New Zealanders is very welcome.”
Making reference to the people of his electorate, Mr Broadbent said he believed voters on the ground would be in favour of the government working towards issues which support the removal of refugees from offshore detention.
“I think they’d like the government to pursue issues which would go towards there being nobody left on Manus Island and Nauru in indefinite detention,” he said.
He believes that Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton was “very sincere” when he said he wanted refugees out of detention, conceding that Mr Dutton and Mr Morrison weren’t willing to compromise anything which could potentially cause a reintroduction of people smuggling or people coming to Australia by boat.
“I hope and pray that he’s working through a plan right now that we will see an end to indefinite long term detention which has always been unacceptable to the Australian people.”
