Refugee Action Collective (RAC) Eurobodalla spokesperson Bernie Richards says the group will join a national day of action by holding a rally at the office of Ann Sudmalis, the Federal Member for Gilmore in Nowra.
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This July 19th marks the fifth anniversary of the announcement by then PM Kevin Rudd that: “As of today, asylum seekers who come here by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia.”
The action, called by the Australian Refugee Action Network (ARAN), will call on all political parties to end the detention of men women and children in the offshore camps, and ensure their resettlement in places of safety.
Ms Richards said the anniversary was significant.
“Five years on 939 people, including 137 children are still detained on Nauru and 698 men remain in Papua New Guinea,” she said.
“There is no clear path to safe resettlement for these people, most of whom are have been recognised as bona fide refugees.
“Where has our humanity gone? Our country was once respected for our fair treatment of refugees seeking safety.”
She said the group would: “call on all Australian political parties to urgently address this shameful human rights catastrophe by bringing these people to Australia.”