Director of the Edmund Rice Centre and President of the Refugee Council of Australia, Phil Glendenning, has welcomed Liberal MP Russell Broadbent’s call for refugees on Manus Island and Nauru to be brought to Australia once the US resettlement deal has run its course.
Mr Glendenning urged Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, to put partisan politics to one side and take heed of Mr Broadbent’s call.
“Thank you, Russell Broadbent, for your courageous stance,” Mr Glendenning said.
“The men, women and children in our offshore detention centres have been living in indefinite detention for over four years. Innocent lives have been lost in these centres, and there have been many more allegations of self-harm, abuse and neglect.
“Enough is enough. The Turnbull Government has no option other than to bring these people to safety in Australia where they can live in peace.
“Mr Turnbull and Mr Shorten now need to put partisan politics to one side and work together to make this resettlement possible.
“Russell Broadbent has outlined what needs to be done. The ball is now in Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten’s court.”
Media Contact: Phil Glendenning 0419 013 758