By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG refugee advocates are “horrified” at Richard Marles’ backflip on turning back asylum-seeker boats.
Labor’s federal Member for Corio and shadow immigration minister joined leader Bill Shorten to call for a turn-back option in the ALP’s refugee policy.
Combined Refugee Action Group (CRAG) spokesperson Lisa Gleeson said a range of similar groups were also “expressing extreme displeasure” at the change.
“I have had any number of conversations in the last 24 hours with anyone with concerned refugees and all were struck by a sense of betrayal,” Ms Gleeson said.
“To attempt to make it ALP policy is such a breathtaking betrayal.
“People’s level of horror and disgust that there is virtually no difference between Labor and Liberal policy will stir a lot into action.”
Ms Gleeson said Mr Shorten’s comments about raising refugee intakes and extending resettlement entitlements were “absolutely meaningless”.
She said Mr Marles, as shadow immigration minister, should do something better than following the government line.
“This is disgraceful when you’re playing with people’s lives.”
Ms Gleeson warned that Mr Marles would be unwise to disregard the impact of the change at the ballot box.
“The potential in garnering a few votes from people at that end of the political spectrum will be offset by the droves of people deserting him in horror.”
Ms Gleeson said the policy proposal was all the more ironic given Mr Marles was based in a region of extensive refugee resettlement.
“If he can’t look out of his window and see the hand of friendship extended to someone who came here by boat then I’m at a loss for words.”
Mr Marles said ignoring a turn-back option would “send a dangerous message to people smugglers”.
Doing otherwise would risk putting the smugglers back in business, with an “inevitable” repeat of drownings, he warned.
“This is about having a sensible, safe set of policies that will stop people from dying.”
Mr Marles said this weekend’s ALP national conference would need to hold a “difficult but dignified debate” in making the “tough decision”.
