Hunger strike will not change Canberra policies-Gillard

16 April 2013 08:05 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard says asylum seekers going on hunger strike won't succeed in pressuring the government to change its policies.

Gillard was commenting on a group of 27 asylum seekers on hunger strike at a Melbourne detention centre.

While the Immigration Department won't comment on why the detainees are on strike, it is believed they have been granted refugee status but have had their release into the community refused due to adverse Australian security assessments.

Gillard on Monday stressed the importance of assessing would-be refugees on security grounds.

"We've got duties and obligations to the nation here in terms of properly assessing who's a refugee and making appropriate security assessments," she told ABC Radio.

"You do not change your circumstance as an asylum seeker or a refugee with an adverse security assessment through hunger striking," she said.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said the detainees were very weak but had resumed drinking fluids.

Meanwhile, the asylum seekers who arrived on a boat at the West Australian port of Geraldton will soon learn if any of them will be sent back to Sri Lanka, Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor said.

Last week, a boat with 66 Sri Lankan asylum seekers reached Geraldton port after a voyage of more than 5,000km.

O'Connor said the government has made it "very clear" if the asylum seekers fail to meet the requirements of the United Nations Refugee Convention, they will be sent home.

"Very shortly, we will make an announcement about returning people home who are not refugees if that is the case," he told Sky News on Tuesday.(BERNAMA)

See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Flowers, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,News, Courier/Delivery, Food Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka.

Comments - 19

Gamarala Tuesday, 16 April 2013 03:55 PM

These are NOT refugees nor acceptable Migrants. These are all illegal aliens who have no right or entry to Australia.

SAM_SPARROW Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:15 AM

Come on madam, we all know that your country also dancing USA's song

Suq Madique Wednesday, 17 April 2013 10:20 AM

Still, Australia is not obliged to accept refugees who could pose a threat to their national security. The refugees who were denied had violent backgrounds and were considered dangerous.

Dhammaloka Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:23 AM

Refugees

Dammika Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:26 AM

they are not immigrants ... they are refugees

weha Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:32 AM

Dude we too are imigrants from India. so don't pelt throws from a a glasshouse.use your brains that is if you have any

bhumi Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:34 AM

They are not immigrants, they are refugees

Maha Rajanani Tuesday, 16 April 2013 09:40 AM

Most of them economic migrants, be careful Australia, mate.

jo Tuesday, 16 April 2013 01:13 PM

Well said madam,you have proved ,that you have courage.

Concerned Wednesday, 17 April 2013 11:02 AM

Wasn't it a colony for the British to dump their criminals in the olden days?

Max Wednesday, 17 April 2013 11:26 AM

Tamil Nadu should be asked to take all these Tamil Refugees, as they are so concerned about the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Game Kolla Tuesday, 16 April 2013 10:10 AM

Australia is a country with highly disciplined people unlike Sri Lanka....definition of a refugee is...a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster:...so they are not refugees.

band Tuesday, 16 April 2013 10:12 AM

Hunger is an HR issue. your food they can't eat. you don't give eatable food. don't you get the point?

saman Tuesday, 16 April 2013 11:10 AM

fake ones though...

Ananda S Wednesday, 17 April 2013 04:23 AM

y don't they go to TAMIL Nadu?

dilan.fernando Tuesday, 16 April 2013 11:40 AM

Give some curry and they will start to eat!

Achcharu Tuesday, 16 April 2013 08:32 AM

Well Said Gillard. Wish there were more alikes among SL and TN politicians

OMG Tuesday, 16 April 2013 08:40 AM

A country built by immigrants refusing immigrants.

semage Tuesday, 16 April 2013 08:41 AM

Excellent comment madam

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Hunger strike will not change Canberra policies-Gillard

Comments - 19

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Case of decomposing government’s “Organic Country” Project

BANNING CHEMICAL FERTILISER - RIGHT THING, WRONG LINE

SLPP eats humble pie over fuel price hike statement

GSP+: Isn’t there a way out?

Is Litro Gas above the regulator?

Statistical blunders expose administrative weaknesses

Vavuniya tusker’s demise DID TOO MANY ‘COOKS’ SPOIL JUMBO’S RECOVERY?

Most Viewed in News

Travel restrictions to be lifted on Monday: Army Chief

New health guidelines issued; special restrictions for WP

Over 200 yr old De Soyza building collapses

Inaccurate figures on Covid death toll on June 11 led to extension of travel restrictions: Prez

Shani Abeysekara granted bail

Car driven by lady lawyer crashes into Coffee Bean cafe

TODAY'S HEADLINES

COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT

UN rights chief voices concern over SL’s counter-terrorism laws

US pledges more vaccines to Sri Lanka

Cop attached to security details of State Minister shoots tipper truck driver to death

MIRROR CRICKET

LPL 2nd edition from July 30-August 22-SLC

Sanath Jayasuriya signs as coach at Melbourne cricket club Mulgrave

Pay dispute hits Sri Lanka team morale for Bangladesh games: captain

India to play extra games in Sri Lanka to ease virus losses

Lakshan recovering and on course for debut

Settling on batting order the priority – Arthur

A royal touch for Test world champions

Sri Lanka squad test negative for Covid-19