2016-02-22
22/02/2016
The Queensland Greens have expressed support for the Premier's offer of support and assistance to asylum seekers currently in the Queensland community.
Greens spokesperson and long-time advocate for refugees Andrew Bartlett said Annastacia Palaszczuk is right to say that these people deserve our compassion and support.
"There are large numbers of refugees and displaced people in our region, and it is a very difficult challenge trying to ensure their safety both in the short and long-term," Mr Bartlett said.
"But it is simply ridiculous to say that treating children and families already in our community with compassion somehow encourages people smugglers.
"The Greens note that the only reason baby Asha and her family and the other asylum seekers in our community are at risk of being returned to Nauru is because the federal Labor Party supported the Liberals in passing legislation to entrench offshore detention of people seeking asylum."
"But the Greens also strongly welcome and support the state government's offer to provide assistance and support to those in our midst. The huge wave of public support for the vigil at Lady Cilento Hospital shows that many other Queenslanders also support the Premier in this."
For further comment, contact Andrew Bartlett on 0418 743 789.