Letter Published In The Herald Sun - Saturday 12 August 2006

Phong Nguyen, Chairperson ECCV

Victoria's multicultural communities thank Victorian Liberal MPs Petro Georgiou and Russell Broadbent for crossing the floor to vote against the Government’s migration bill. They have both made a stand for the decent treatment of asylum seekers in Australia. People fleeing persecution deserve Australia’s support and compassion. They deserve to have their asylum claims tested fairly and swiftly in Australia. Their anguish, pain and suffering should not be increased by sending them offshore. The actions of Petro Georgiou and Russell Broadbent stand as a beacon of light to refugees seeking sanctuary and humanity in Australia. Victorian Senators Judith Troeth and Steve Fielding must make a similar stand against this Bill.