Hundreds of refugees and supporters will hold a pre-election rally at Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke’s Punchbowl Office, this Sunday 9 March 2pm to call for permanent visas for all refugees and to oppose the Labor’s anti-refugee and deportation laws.
Three years ago, Anthony Albanese declared that under Labor, ‘No-one would be left behind.’ But despite the promises, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers who have been living in Australia for up to 14 years are still waiting for justice and the permanent visas they need to get on with their lives.
The promised pathways to permanency for the victims of the Fast Tack system, and for the so-called transitory persons, the refugees brought from Manus and Nauru over the past ten years, has come to nothing.
“Scores of Tamil and Bangladeshi asylum seekers handed out for Labor in the 2022 election, but Labor has turned its back on them,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Hundreds were involved in 24/7 vigils outside Labor MP’s offices last year to demand permanent visas. In Sydney, the protest outside Tony Burke’s office lasted 129 days. But Labor has left the fast track victims, and refugees from offshore, out to dry.”
Worse, Labor’s anti-refugee deportation laws have established extraordinary powers for the government to re-detain and potentially deport asylum seekers and refugees can be used against anyone on a bridging visa.
“The racist laws were hastily introduced as part of Labor’s electoral bidding war with Peter Dutton about which party is toughest on refugees. Thousands of transitory persons were re-traumatised when Labor re-detained three people and announced its intention to deport them to Nauru in February.
“Instead of implementing pro-refugee policies, Albanese has tried to outflank Peter Dutton’s Trump-lite policies. Albanese said ‘no-one would be held back’, but Labor has held back the fast track victims. Until we have justice and permanent visas, we will keep protesting,” said Ian Rintoul.
Rally for Permanent Visas and oppose Labor’s anti-refugee deportation laws: Tony Burke MP’s electorate office, 29/1 Broadway, Punchbowl, Sunday 9 March, 2pm.
For more information contact: Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713.
