Twenty years too long

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of mandatory detention for all asylum seekers who arrive here by boat.

This is not an anniversary to be celebrating.

Instead over one hundred community groups and many more individuals gathered at the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne to have their voices heard.

This year’s World Refugee Rally calls for an end to mandatory detention.

It has been twenty years too long.

Asylum seekers are just that; seeking asylum.

Yet when they arrive here on our shores, we ship them off to detention centres where the conditions are shocking. Talk about separation of families, suicidal ideation and occupational 

boredom.

God only knows what they have managed to escape from.

I have been involved with the local refugee community for a few years now. I know that these 

people would return home if they had the chance but with war, violence and risk of persecution...Australia is their refuge.

So instead of sending refugees and asylum seekers into detention centres when they arrive seeking help, why can’t we open our arms and welcome them into our communities?

Before mandatory detention was introduced, asylum seekers were processed within the community. Why can we not continue this more humane processing?

I will continue fighting. I will continue to make my voice heard.

Especially for those behind detention centre gates who cannot be heard.

Detention centres have got to go!