Access to Justice

Retrospective legislation aimed at scuttling a court case

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Thursday 3rd November 2011, 3:08pm
in

The Australian Greens agree with professional bodies the Law Council of Australia, Law Institute of Victoria and Victoria Legal Aid which have all expressed concern proposed amendments to the Migration Act.


Mr Julian Assange

Motion | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Thursday 3rd November 2011, 1:11pm
in

Senator LUDLAM: I move:
That the Senate-
(a) notes that the High Court in London will bring down its decision on Wednesday, 2 November 2011 regarding Sweden's request to extradite Mr Julian Assange; and
(b) calls on the Government to ensure that:
(i) the consular and legal rights of all Australian citizens overseas are fully protected, and
(ii) if extradited to Sweden for questioning, Mr Assange not be subject to further extradition from Sweden to the United States of America under a bilateral agreement to which Australia is not party.

Government and Opposition throw Assange to the wolves

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 2nd November 2011, 3:53pm
in

The Labor Government and the Coalition today refused to back a call from the Australian Greens to ensure the legal rights of Julian Assange are protected and that the Australian citizen is not extradited to the United States.


Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam moved the motion in light of the pending decision on the WikiLeaks' editor's possible extradition to Sweden, and it was rejected by the Government and Opposition.


"If Mr Assange is sent to Sweden for questioning on alleged offences unrelated to the work of WikiLeaks, the Australian Government should ensure he is not then shuttled to the United States to face concocted political charges under the draconian, First World War-era Espionage Act, aimed at destroying the whistle-blowing website."


Senator Ludlam's motion also called on the government to ensure that the consular and legal rights of all Australian citizens overseas are fully protected.


"The US Government has been embarrassed by a number of revelations made public by WikiLeaks - including evidence of American soldiers in Iraq deliberately targeting civilians and journalists. Washington has successfully pressured companies including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and Western Union to block donations to WikiLeaks to strangle the site - despite the donations funding perfectly legal activity. As editor-in-chief of the site, Mr Assange is clearly a target.


"The Australian Federal Police have investigated WikiLeaks and found Mr Assange has broken no Australian laws, and he has yet to be charged with an offence in Sweden or the USA. The Government owes him every effort to ensure his rights as a citizen of this country are protected."



Media Contact: Giovanni Torre - 0417 174 302


 


 

Time limits would stop illegal detentions

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Monday 24th October 2011, 2:55pm
in

The Australian Greens say putting time limits on detention would prevent a repeat of incidents such the unlawful detention of Indian student, Prashant Cherkupalli, who was inside Villawood for 18 months.

Greens have the answers to streamline onshore assessment constraints

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Friday 14th October 2011, 12:31pm
in

The Australian Greens have urged the Gillard government to grasp the moment and adopt a new, humane approach toward asylum seekers now that claims for protection will be assessed on the mainland.

Marzieh Vefamehr

Motion | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 12th October 2011, 12:00am
in

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (15:41): I move:
That the Senate expresses its deep concern for the welfare of Iranian actress Ms Marzieh Vefamehr who has been sentenced in Iran to one year in jail and 90 lashings for her role in the South Australian produced film My Tehran For Sale.


Question agreed to.


 

Greens call on government to take urgent action to protect sex-trafficked women

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Tuesday 11th October 2011, 9:57am
in

The Australian Greens say the Four Corners investigation into sex trafficking shows the government must act immediately to protect vulnerable women who risk deportation.


"I will be writing to the Immigration Minister and Home Affairs Minister  today requesting that this matter be given urgent consideration to these women so they can get out of sexual slavery," Greens' immigration spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said today.


"Women tricked into becoming sexual slaves need assistance such as temporary visas and support services to help them work through their ordeal and achieve justice.


"All the constant noise over border protection and asylum seekers should be put into the proper context, because while these enslaved women are trafficked here under the radar, their plight is not given the attention it deserves."

Both sides are wrong on refugees

Blog Post | Blog of Sarah Hanson-Young
Tuesday 20th September 2011, 7:48am
by ParisLord in

Who was it who told the Australian Parliament in August 2006: "This is a bad bill with no redeeming features"? Who went on to say: "The people who will be disadvantaged by this bill are in fear of their lives, and we should never turn our back on them. They are people who could make a real contribution to Australia."

Why, none other than Chris Bowen, who is now Immigration Minister. Back then, he was speaking against the former Howard government's plan to take a tough stance against asylum seekers from West Papua who had paddled to Australia seeking our protection.

Asylum Seekers

Question | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Monday 12th September 2011, 12:00am
in

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (14:08): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Will the government ensure that the letter and spirit of the refugee convention and of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are upheld in any future legislation to be presented to this parliament?