A Man with integrity. If only we had a government with the same he wouln't have to hand it back.
Allan

Media Release

 

 

 

�Leading Marist Brother hands back Order of Australia

 

Gerry Burns, Marist Brother, esteemed former teacher and welfare worker handed back his General Division of the Order of Australia to NSW Governor Marie Bashir in Sydney last Thursday.

 

�It is regret that now, almost twelve months after the event, I have to say that the award no longer sits comfortably with me. I feel there would be an element of near hypocrisy, if, having received an award from my country to services for children, I were to  retain that award in light of what our country continues to do to a most vulnerable group of children.�

 

In an attached statement Br. Burns says the primary reason for this action �was in response to the way our country has dealt with children of  asylum seekers, who having committed no crime, continue to be deprived of their freedom in conditions which, in some cases, are less human than those in which detain proven criminals.�

 

Attached is a personal explanation from Br. Gerry Burns outlining reasons and reflections for his decision. For all interviews please contact the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education.

 

Contact: John Finneran

Phone:   0429 905 806

Email:                    [EMAIL PROTECTED]

                               

 

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