Today the High Court has agreed to extend the injunction to delay the expulsion to Malaysia of the first group of asylum seekers (including children) who arrived on Christmas Island last week. Now it is over to you, to have your say.

The Government is shirking its international responsibilities by sending asylum seekers to a country where their human rights are not guaranteed. Malaysia does not have a good record when it comes to the treatment of vulnerable asylum seekers; caning and arbitrary detention are common place. Despite the Prime Minister’s verbal assurances, nothing in the written agreement between our two countries allays the concerns of human rights advocates and legal experts.

We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children, particularly those who have arrived unaccompanied. Children should never be made an example of. They are innocent and their welfare should not be sacrificed by a Government trying to score cheap political points. Australia is better than this.

Today’s decision of the High Court to extend this injunction, provides the Government with one last chance to drop this shameful deal.

This means the community also has another chance to pressure the Immigration Minister to uphold his obligations as the legal guardian of the children about to be expelled to Malaysia.

You can write to the Minister below.

We know that this is an unpopular deal. The more Australians read about it, the less we like it. This is your chance, to have your say and tell the Government that rather than using innocent children as pawns in their political game, it should be treating these vulnerable people with compassion.

Write to Minister Bowen