The Greens voted against the Migration Legislation Amendment (Bali Process) Bill because it removes human rights protections and won't stop the boats.   Instead, the Greens have a detailed plan that is legal, respects people's rights and dignity and would make an immediate difference.

Greens leader Senator Christine Milne and Greens refugee spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young continue to work hard to achieve safe passage for refugees coming to Australia. This latest article by Christine in the Australian gives an excellent update on our work.

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Adjournment Speech - Monday 18th June 2012

WHAT: Free screening of international award winning documentary 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea' followed by two former child refugees sharing their stories with the audience.
WHEN: 2-4.30 pm, Saturday 16 June 2012
WHERE: Max Webber Function Centre, Blacktown Library, Corner Flushcombe Road & Alpha Street, Blacktown

Media coverage of our refugee event being hosted by Blacktown Greens this Saturday - more details here.  The article focuses on Masihullah Mobin, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, who will be one of two child refugees at the film screening. He will explain how he was beaten and imprisoned by Indonesian police after surviving a boat wreck when he was 15 and travelling alone.

Blog post by Senator Lee Rhiannon

When I heard that another mother had been imprisoned at Villawood with her two children I went out to meet them. I regularly visit this detention centre, in Sydney's western suburbs, and have come to know quite a few of the detainees in there

I find most of my visits to Villawood are distressing, but this time it was especially difficult. There are now three mothers locked up indefinitely with no reason as to why and with a debilitating fear of what the future holds for their children.

The Greens believe asylum seekers should be welcomed to Australia, not vilified, victimised, or used for political advantage.

Australia needs a whole-of-government approach which acknowledges the extreme circumstances that lead people to seek asylum and gives unconditional support to their welfare.

Minister for Immigration Chris Bowen should use his current visit to Sri Lanka to take up the issue of ongoing human rights abuses, rather than pandering to the Rajapakse government to shore up ongoing co-operation with Australia against people smuggling, says Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.

"It is a disgrace to learn that ahead of his Sri Lanka visit Minister Bowen praised the Rajapakse government for co-operating with Australia against people smuggling," Senator Rhiannon said.