Nauru refugee tipping point – politicians must act

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Politicians should heed the overwhelming public demand for an urgent resolution of the humanitarian crisis that has trapped refugee children on Nauru for more than five years, World Vision Australia says.

 As Australia’s largest humanitarian organisation, World Vision has again pleaded with political leaders to find an urgent bi-partisan solution which brings the remaining 52 children and their families to safety.

 “We welcome both the Government and the Opposition’s agreement that indefinite detention of these children must end, but we want to impress upon them that every day they equivocate it is keeping the children in harm’s way,” WVA Head of Policy and Advocacy Susan Anderson said.

 “These children are innocent victims and should not, under any circumstances, be held for one day longer. This sinister chapter of indefinite offshore refugee detention is a black mark on Australia’s record as a civil society and should never be repeated.”

 Ms Anderson said it was time the nation’s political leaders came together to address this emergency: “We don’t want to play politics on this but given what is at stake, it is profoundly disappointing the Prime Minister has today backed away from negotiations with the Opposition and the cross-bench.”

 “The Prime Minister says he’s here to help children.  The best way to help children is to get the children and their families off Nauru now.”

 World Vision Australia launched the Kids Off Nauru campaign in August, with other humanitarian and refugee advocacy groups, calling for all the children and their families to be brought to Australia by Universal Children’s Day, November 20, for resettlement here or in a suitable third country that welcomes them.

 In two months, more than half of the 119 children have been medically evacuated from Nauru with their families. But the situation of those remaining on the island is increasingly desperate.

For more information or for interview requests, contact:

or Ruth Lamperd (News Editor), 0417 765 947, ruth.lamperd@worldvision.com.au

PICTURE: Roze (not her real name) is one of 40 children who have spent their entire lives on Nauru.

Media Releases, Children's Rights, Human Rights, World Vision

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