Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Congratulations to the member for Hume: that is a real achievement. I present six petitions that have been approved by the House. There are three petitions from Dr Penny Vine from Albury and one each from Patrick Naughtin and Barbara Block from Beechworth and Susan Brunskill from Wooragee. The six petitions are signed by 514 concerned Australians.

At the heart of all of these petitions is overwhelming care and concern for those who cannot look after themselves. The petitions: express concern about the proven physical and psychological damage of indefinite and arbitrary detention of asylum seekers; call on the government to legislate time limits in detention; express concern about the plight of children in detention in Australian centres and Nauru; call on the government to stop the detention of refugee and asylum seeker children; express concern with the withdrawal of legal representation for asylum seekers who are subject to fast-tracking processes; and call on the government to reinstate the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme.

Refugees seek security and protection in Australia, not indefinite detention, not detention of children and not limited access to legal representation. We need an immigration system that reflects international law, is fair, and ensures people's health, safety and dignity is maintained. It gives me great pleasure to present these petitions.

The petition s read as follows—

To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of concerned citizens of Australia

Draws the attention of the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives to the recent legislation withdrawing legal representation for Asylums seekers who are subject to the Fast-Tracking Process. Difficulties with inadequate English, ignorance of the legal processes involved, illiteracy in their native tongue, cultural differences and psychological disabilities resulting from past torture or trauma and the absence of any form of appeal have created a process that is stacked against the applicants.

We therefore ask the House that the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) be reinstated.

from 31 citizens

To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of Barbara Block draws to the attention of the House the plight of children in detention in Australian centres and Nauru. We therefore ask the House to stop the detention of refugee and asylum seeker children and release all those detained, with their families, and all unaccompanied minors, into the Australian community.

from 13 citizens

Petition received.

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of concerned citizens of Australia

Draws the attention of the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives to the recent legislation withdrawing legal representation for Asylum seekers who are subject to the Fast-Tracking Process. Difficulties with inadequate English, ignorance of the legal processes involved, illiteracy in their native tongue, cultural differences and psychological disabilities resulting from past torture or trauma and the absence of any form of appeal have created a process that is stacked against the applicants.

Asylum seekers often lack the financial resources to pay for legal advice and representation .Without legal aid, asylum seekers will be left to present their protection visa applications on their own.

We therefore ask the House that the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) be reinstated for all asylum seekers, regardless of their date or mode of arrival.

from 198 citizens

Petition received.

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of concerned citizens of Australia

Draws to the attention of the Honourable the Speaker an d Members of the House of Representatives our deep concern about the proven physical and psychological damage of indefinite and arbitrary detention of asylum seekers

We therefore ask the House to legislate time limits for detention with a maximum of 30 days for adults and 5 days for children.

from 251 citizens

Petition received.

To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of concerned citizens of Indi draws to the attention of the House, we are deeply concerned about the proven physical and psychological damage of indefinite and arbitrary detention of asylum seekers.

We therefore ask the House to legislated time limits in detention, with a maximum of 30 days for adults and 5 days for children.

from 11 citizens

Petition received.

To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of constituents of Indi and concerned citizens draws to the attention of the House the recent withdrawal of legal representation for asylum seekers subject to Fast-track processing. We therefore ask the House to reinstate IAAAS funding.

from 11 citizens

Petition received.