The Greens are calling for an immediate moratorium on the deportation of Hazaras back to Afghanistan in light of the Federal Court’s ruling today.

“Now that the Federal Court has intervened the government must instantly commit to not sending any Afghan Hazaras back to Kabul,” Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

“There are 120 Hazaras who have been saved by this ruling after the Minister’s unlawful decision to earmark them for deportation.

After introducing a bill and appealing to both the Government and the opposition to establish a special visa class for Afghan interpreters, the Greens welcome the establishment of a program that recognises the important contribution of Afghan personnel who are at risk because of their work for our defence force.

“It is essential that we recognise the contribution of these brave people and I am glad to hear that the Government has followed the Greens’ lead on this issue,” the Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

The Australian Greens have introduced a bill today to create a special visa class to bring Afghan interpreters, who have worked with our troops in their home country, to Australia.

 "Recognising the amazing work of Afghan interpreters who risk their lives to keep our troops safe is the only right thing for us to do,” the Greens’ immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens have announced they will introduce a bill into the Senate that would create a special visa class enabling the permanent resettlement in Australia for Afghan interpreters and other at-risk employees who worked for the Coalition forces, along with their families.

 “Australia is indebted to the brave Afghan men and women who risk their lives by working with the Coalition armed forces in their home country,” Greens spokesperson for human rights, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Federal Government is wasting taxpayers' money in its NSW Supreme Court action to try recovering the proceeds of David Hicks' memoir, the Australian Greens say.

"The Gillard government is creating a smokescreen in its move against Mr Hicks to deflect attention from what the government knew about his torture and detention in Guantanamo Bay and other US facilities," Greens' spokesperson for human rights, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said today.

The Australian Greens say they are disappointed by the Federal Government's forthcoming move in the NSW Supreme Court to try recovering the proceeds of the memoir written by South Australian David Hicks.

"The government should not be taking this action against Mr Hicks but instead carry out a full and independent investigation into his torture and detention in Guantanamo Bay and other US facilities," Greens' spokesperson for human rights, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said today.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia)

(12.45 pm)—I rise to add the Greens’ support to this condolence motion. We concur with the other speakers and with all senators in sending our condolences to the family, the friends and the colleagues of Sapper Jamie Ronald Larcombe, who died tragically in a foreign land.

Sapper Jamie Larcombe died in Afghanistan.

He was there serving his country. His body has now been brought home to this nation, which he served so bravely and courageously. Sapper Larcombe was only 21.

Tuesday, 26 October 2010

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (6.15 pm)-