RACNSW Media Release
June 24, 2003
RAC gives Ruddock his own 28 day deadline or they will proceed with a
mass protest at his "leafy" Pennant Hills residence
Fresh from a sold out celebrity playreading at the Sydney Opera House on
Sunday night featuring John Howard, Tony Martin and Tina Bursill the
Refugee Action Coalition of NSW (RACNSW) have given the Minister for
Immigration, Mr Phillip Ruddock, 28 days to close all detention centres,
release all detainees and transfer all Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs)
to Permanent Protection Visas (PPVs) or protestors will march on his
leafy Pennant Hills residence on Saturday 19 July.
The deadline is 28 days since World Refugee Day on June 20 and will
coincide with a demonstration at Port Hedland organised by refugee
activists in WA.
Last month, DIMIA issued the 277 Iranian detainees with letters giving
them 28 days to accept "voluntary" repatriation or else face forced
deportation. Afghan detainees and Temporary Protection Visa holders have
until June 30 to accept a similar deal.
Now RAC has put the boot on the other foot by giving Mr Ruddock his own
28-day deadline.
Mr Ruddock has been under enormous pressure over the last week with
questions asked in parliament over the "cash-for-Visas" scandal and more
than 80% of Australians calling for an investigation in to Ruddock=B9s
dealings as immigration Minister.
Average Australians are astonished at the hypocrisy of his department
issuing visas to corporate crooks and corrupt politicians, while keeping
innocent asylum seekers locked away for years on end and preventing
those found to be refugees from accessing social services or ever
bringing out their families.
To receive a visa in Australia it seems all you need to do is make a
hefty donation to the Liberal Party.
On top of this there was the Four Corners documentary about ACM's
shocking treatment of asylum seekers at Woomera detention centre, where
the Democrats' Andrew Bartlett and Bob Brown from The Greens called for
Ruddock's resignation, and even the Labor Party called for a judicial
inquiry.
Now, faced with the Family Court decision saying that the indefinite
detention of children is illegal, Ruddock is trying to use the same kind
of fear mongering about people smugglers that worked so well for the
Liberal party during the 2001 federal election campaign.
If Ruddock does not comply with the deadline, the action at his
residence aims to exacerbate his month of misfortune.
Events at the action could include:
*Making a stack of fake razor wire and attempting to encircle Ruddock's
abode
*Using the $2000 bills featuring Ruddock's face to highlight the
"visas-for-cash" scandal.
*Protestors will bring sleeping bags and tents, with the aim of having a
vigil over the weekend and beyond.
For more information please call
Mark Goudkamp 0422 078 376 or Ian Rintoul on 0417 275 713.
CALL TO ACTION
Give Ruddock enough rope
End his regime of terror
Converge at 11am, Saturday 19 July
Pennant Hills train station (on the line between Strathfield and Hornsby)
RAC is calling an organising meeting for this action on Wednesday 25
June at 6pm at the UTS Students' Association, level 3 Broadway Tower ie.
same time and place as the Baxter-Sydney meetings). ALL WELCOME
We will also be organising this action out of the Refugee Action
Coalition meetings (Mondays, 6pm at Teachers' Federation House, 23-33
Mary St Surry Hills).
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