Howard Government Demonstrates Contempt For Democratic Process

Member for Lingiari and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs Warren Snowdon said the Howard Government had today demonstrated once again its total contempt for the democratic process.

Mr Snowdon said shutting down debate on the controversial amendments to the Migration Act was a shocking misuse of power.

'They gagged discussion even from within their own ranks,' he said.

'This is the utmost in cynicism: they know the laws are weak; they know they're a very weak attempt to appease another country and they don't want this shabby story on the record.

'What these amendments do is excise the mainland from the migration zone, which means it's no longer a case of 'Honey I've shrunk the borders”.

'They've made the entire country disappear in yet another vain attempt to stop asylum seekers from arriving here by boat.

'They will now be shipped off to Nauru – well away from the protection of the Australian legal system.

'This isn't just an affront to international human rights

'It is un-Australian because it isn't founded in notions of decency and fairness and, when you get down to it, it's another fawning attempt to appease Indonesia following the Papuan refugee issue.

'If we're to continue to have an open, constructive and mutually productive relationship with Indonesia, then we shouldn't open ourselves to any suggestion that our migration system is politicised.

'The Government is intent on forcing this legislation through the Senate next week after crunching it through Parliament today, even after opposition in government ranks has warned that it comes at a grave cost.

'They shouldn't forget that you don't get away easily with showing your contempt for democracy in a democratic country like Australia,' Mr Snowdon said.

2006-08-10