Such fine, noble words spoken at Anzac Cove, the sacred eternal resting place of too many Australian men who willingly went to war and whose individual and collective legacy is the truth that war is futile. Yes, there are values we hold dear, Prime Minister, and one is, as you said, “people should be free”. So set free the asylum seekers who came by boat, not ever charged with breaking a law. Stop deceiving us. Seeking asylum is legal. Our Government policies are not.
In the name of all who fought for freedom and democracy, give a future to the 227 children still in Immigration detention, and close Nauru and Manus detention camps. Indefinite deprivation of freedom, with irreversible damage for many “boatpeople”, was never ever warranted. It breaches International law. End this shameful mistreatment now, and honour all who fought for the precious freedom and peace we value.
– Frederika E Steen AM, CLA member, Chapel Hill, Qld