2016-11-13
The federal government's announcement of a deal with the United States is an admission that offshore detention has to end, but still leaves people on Manus Island and Nauru facing an uncertain future.
"After three years, the government has finally admitted that offshore detention is a dead-end, but has offered no certainty that people will not be left behind to languish on Manus Island and Nauru," Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim said.
"We still don't know many people will be covered by the arrangement, what the timeframes are and under what terms people will be accepted."
"It also seems that for some people, accepting this deal would mean they may never see family members in Australia again."
"There was still no acknowledgement of the suffering and hardship that has been inflicted in Australia's name."
"The best and most compassionate solution to offshore detention is to bring the people on Manus Island and Nauru to Australia."
Media ReleaseImmigration and Citizenship