23 November 2015

If the UN can challenge Australia, why can’t John Key?

The head of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, has met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to raise concerns about Australia’s offshore detention centres, and this should make John Key question his ongoing support for how Kiwis are being treated by the Australian Government, the Green Party said today.

“Mates hold each other to account, and let each other know when they have crossed the line. John Key needs to let his Australian counterpart know they have gone too far in their treatment of detainees,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.

“Mistreatment across the ditch in these detainee centres is rampant, and John Key needs to stand up for the rights of New Zealanders.

“Stories have emerged of families being broken apart over historic convictions for relatively minor crimes, such as a tetraplegic deported after being jailed for self-medicating with controlled painkillers.

“If the United Nations feels that it has to raise the matter with the Australian Prime Minister, hopefully our Government will now feel empowered enough to stand up to Australia for the good of our citizens,” Mrs Turei said.

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