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Protests across Australia today against tough refugee policies
Radio New Zealand International - August 23, 2013
The Refugee Action Coalition says Mr Abbott's announcement that a Coalition government will remove appeal rights and re-introduce temporary protection visas has fuelled the outrage at the major political parties abuse of asylum seekers.
The Coalition's spokesperson, Ian Rintoul, says as Mr Rudd's PNG deal comes apart, the government has resorted to dumping family groups in Nauru to prove his deal is working.
He says the government says the facilities are appropriate, but he says that it's a farce. He also says Kevin Rudd's tough asylum seeker policy has only encouraged Tony Abbott to go one better and attack the rights of refugees.
Mr Rintoul says under Mr Abbott's policies the tens of thousands of asylum seekers living in the Australian community will be denied natural justice and permanent protection.
He says neither political party is really concerned about the lives of asylum seekers, and they are trampling on the lives of asylum seekers in their rush to the election.
Sydney will also be holding another rally and march next Saturday, in Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate.
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last month announced all asylum seekers who arrive by boat will be sent to PNG.
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