Following the release by The Guardian of over 2,000 documents outlining reports of abuse, neglect and self-harm on Nauru, the Edmund Rice Centre is calling for a bipartisan response to resolve the crisis in Australia’s offshore detention system.
Director of the Centre and President of the Refugee Council of Australia Phil Glendenning today called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to come together and address the systemic neglect that has documented since 2013.
“Australia’s system of offshore detention is simply unsustainable and the release of these documents by The Guardian is further evidence of this fact,” Mr Glendenning said.
“The reports are simply shocking and sickening. However, we need to do more than simply get upset and angry – we need to take action and realise there is a better way.
“That is why I am calling on Mr Turnbull and Mr Shorten to put partisan politics to one side and work together to bring those sent to Nauru and Manus Island to safety in Australia.
“Even John Howard realised that indefinite detention in offshore centres was unsustainable and resettled people in Australian when he was Prime Minister. There is no reason why Mr Turnbull cannot do the same.”
The Edmund Rice Centre has also supported the Refugee Council of Australia’s call for an independent investigation into the claims made in the documents.
“The Government acted immediately following allegations by a media outlet of abuse in a Northern Territory detention centre. They should respond immediately to these reports as well,” Mr Glendenning concluded.
Media Contact: Phil Glendenning 0419 013 758
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