2015-10-29
The Greens are calling on the Australian Government to formally take action on a report, compiled by Amnesty International, which claims Australian officials may have been engaged in committing transnational crimes.
“This report is serious and the government can’t just sweep it under the carpet or attack the messenger like it’s done so many times in the past on this issue,” said Australian Greens Leader, Senator Richard Di Natale.
“There has been far too much secrecy in this area ever since the Coalition came to power and evidence of criminal activity on the high seas cannot be ignored.
“The Prime Minister needs to come clean on any deal to pay off and supply equipment to people smugglers to return asylum seekers back to Indonesia.”
An ongoing Senate Inquiry into this incident, established by the Greens’ immigration spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, will grill Australian officials in coming months to get to the bottom of what actually happened.
“If Australian officials have been involved in people smuggling, abusing women and children or paying-off criminals this inquiry will get to the bottom of it,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“This report contains evidence that contradicts an official submission from the government to this Senate inquiry. If they are found to have misled the Senate, there will be serious consequences.
“The wall of secrecy that has surrounded Operation Sovereign Borders needs to come down so that Australians can finally see for themselves what is being done in their names.”
Media Contacts:
Di Natale – Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600
Hanson-Young – Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760