Australia welcomes West Papuans Asylum Seekers

Nettle welcomes West Papuans and calls for remaining asylum seeker to be brought to mainland

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the Minister for Immigration Senator Amanda Vanstone to bring the remaining West Papuan asylum seeker to Melbourne whilst his asylum claim continues to be assessed.

"To leave this man alone on Christmas Island is unacceptable. There is no reason why this man cannot have his claim assessed in Melbourne where he can have access to fellow West Papuans," Senator Nettle said.

"This man has faced the same persecution as his fellow West Papuans. For him to be separated from the others for what appear to be technical legal reasons is exactly the kind of bureaucratic insensitivity that has left Australia's immigration reputation in tatters.

Senator Nettle welcomed the 42 West Papuan refugees to the Australian
mainland.

"The arrival of these brave neighbours is great news for them but also great news for their fellow West Papuans who will now have more friends in Australia to publicise their plight.

"I look forward to meeting them all again soon, and continuing to raise the profile of the dire situation in West Papua which led to their escape to Australia.

"The Greens wish them well in their new lives in Australia and in their struggle for justice in West Papua."

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