Howard should reverse Papua blunder

Howard should reverse Papua blunder

Prime Minister John Howard should reverse the blunder of legislating for West Papuan refugees to be banned from Australian soil, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Sydney today.

"There is no common ground between a Nauruan solution and processing refugees in Australia. That given, the PM should look at how to allay
Indonesian anxiety that Australia will simply be a receptacle for West Papuans activists," Senator Brown said.

"Perhaps he should look at UN experts confirming Australia's dinkum processing of refugees on our soil. This is not a Greens' policy, but it's a helpful suggestion for a Prime Minister who has bungled this issue from the outset by trying to appease Jakarta," Senator Brown said.

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