Photo: AFPtheage.com.au reports the latest in this shameful saga:
"US peace activist Scott Parkin wants to leave Australia but remains in solitary confinement because the immigration department refuses to deport him, his lawyer said today.
"Julian Burnside, QC, told theage.com.au that Mr Parkin had been told by immigration officers that his deportation would be brought forward if he dropped his appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal to find out why his visa was revoked.
"Mr Burnside described this as "factually false and legally improper".
"What they're doing, in effect, is saying 'Alright, we'll hold you here in solitary confinement until you dump your action', and that's outrageous," he said."
"US peace activist Scott Parkin wants to leave Australia but remains in solitary confinement because the immigration department refuses to deport him, his lawyer said today.
"Julian Burnside, QC, told theage.com.au that Mr Parkin had been told by immigration officers that his deportation would be brought forward if he dropped his appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal to find out why his visa was revoked.
"Mr Burnside described this as "factually false and legally improper".
"What they're doing, in effect, is saying 'Alright, we'll hold you here in solitary confinement until you dump your action', and that's outrageous," he said."
Anybody care to suggest how Parkin might be a "threat to national security"?
Brian Walters, SC, president of Liberty Victoria, writes an impassioned article on what this all says about Australia in 2005:
"It is our tolerance of a wide range of views that gives our nation so much of its strength. Our ability to hear and open our minds to even radical views makes us stronger - not weaker."
It is a lesson that should be heeded by all.
It is a lesson that should be heeded by all.
6 Comments:
I didn't like some of the earlier rationalisations about "harming relationships", and suspected there was more to it than that. The government wouldn't deport someone just because he dislikes Halliburton. They're not stupid enough to think they'd be able to get away with it.
Kim Beazley is not opposed to the deportation. Either the rationale is very serious, or Kim's a big mug. Or both.
The government can get away with anything, as the legislation doesn't compel them to tell Scott or anyone why he's a supposed threat.
That should profoundly disturb people.
Your status as profoundly disturbed is duly noted, Ant.
andjam, Beazley's lack of opposition means nothing.
What do you mean by this?
We all know Beazley's love of the US govt...and his fear of being seen to be 'soft' on 'terrorism'...
We all know that you are prone to exaggeration of your own influence too.
What the hell does 'Our' political prisoner mean? He's a tourist. We can kick anyone we like fair the hell out fo the country for pretty much spitting on the street. Get over it. It's not changing.
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