2015-09-15
The new Prime Minister must show leadership and compassion by releasing all children and families from the Nauru detention camp, the Australian Greens have said.
"Australia is ready for compassion and it's time children were taken off of Nauru, once and for all," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
"The detention of children is harmful and it's time to end the suffering. We must give sanctuary to the children who have suffered so much as they fled from war and persecution.
"We have heard shocking evidence about children being exposed to abuse at the hands of centre guards on Nauru and this is an opportunity for the new Prime Minister to draw a line in the sand.
"Children should not be locked up in these appalling conditions and with new leadership comes new opportunities to right the wrongs of the past.
"I urge Mr Turnbull to show that Australia is strong enough to care for refugees by releasing the children that are locked up offshore.
"The Abbott government administered some of the cruellest treatment towards refugees that this nation has ever seen. It's time to turn a page."
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