Port Phillip backs asylum seeker statement

Port Phillip backs asylum seeker statement

Port Phillip Councillors this week unanimously supported a joint council statement calling on the Federal Government to abandon its current harsh asylum seeker policies.

The statement was originated by the City of Darebin and now has more than ten signatories, including Port Phillip.

Port Phillip Councillor Jane Touzeau moved the motion at last night’s Council meeting. The statement includes calls to:

• Resume processing applications for asylum in Australia, rather than off-shore and
• Abolish the policy of sending unaccompanied minors to off-shore processing centres and re-establish more ‘humane’ approaches.

Cr Touzeau told Council she was grateful to her fellow Councillors for their support on this important issue.

“There is so much false press and information on this matter,” she said.

“I think our society is in a dangerous moment and hope we will get out of it.”

Mayor Amanda Stevens said she found the current policy distressing and hoped a humane solution which went beyond politics could be reached.

For more information visit City of Port Phillip