2015-10-07
The Australian Greens have urged the Prime Minister and his Immigration Minister to act urgently to bring a young refugee woman allegedly raped on Nauru to Australia so she can terminate her unwanted pregnancy.
"Mr Turnbull needs to pull his Immigration Minister into line and get this woman they help and care she urgently needs," Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.
"Abortion is illegal on Nauru and the only option this young woman has for a safe and legal termination is to be brought to Australia.
"I have written to the Minister today requesting that he act urgently. Here we have a 23 year old refugee, left stranded on Nauru by the Australian Government, and after allegedly being raped and assaulted by a local man, she need needs assistance and care.
"Minister Dutton and his department have known for weeks that this young woman needs to be transferred to Australia to terminate this unwanted pregnancy.
"She has been pleading with Australian authorities for weeks and they have done nothing. Sadly their lack of action has meant she will now need a late-term abortion.
"She is scared, distressed and physically unwell. Leaving her in Nauru is simply unacceptable.
"Sadly, her case is another example of just how unsafe and unsustainable Nauru is for refugee women and families. The truth is they are not safe inside or outside the camps.
"If Malcolm Turnbull wants to end the suffering of the refugees on Nauru he must bring them to Australia and get them off the prison island."
Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760