The Independent Education Union of Australia has expressed its disgust with Australian Government and coalition failure in bringing resolve to the asylum seeker boat issue in an open, fair and honest manner.
IEUA Federal secretary Chris Watt said the union would pledge $2000 to support the Edmund Rice Center in relation to its work with those who seek refuge in Australia.
“Today’s announcement of the release of people into the community with limited financial assistance and without timely processing runs the very real risk of creating an underclass,” Mr Watt said.
“The IEU notes that Australia has only provided resettlement of 56 people per year from Indonesia between 2001 and 2012. Further, only 24 were resettled in the first five months of 2012.”
“The IEU believes that current legislation and the Government’s decision to resort to punishment for those fleeing prosecution is wrong and misguided.
“The Government’s decision is contrary to Article 157 of the Labor Party platform which states: Labor will ensure that asylum seekers who arrive by irregular means will not be punished for their mode of arrival.”
The IEU calls for
• A return to onshore processing
• Overturning of punitive provisions with respect to arrivals by boat
• An immediate increase in the Refugee and Humanitarian Program to 20,000 places and an increase to 27,000 places within five years
• Increased funding for UNHCR to improve processing systems for asylum seekers in Asia and the Middle East
• Increased support for capacity-building and service delivery programs among NGOs and civil society groups in the region
Media Contact: Penny Bradley 0429 020 409 or pbradley@ieu.org.au