New Zealand prepared to put people before politics - time for Australia to step up
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Vice President Rachel Mackintosh will be speaking on Sunday in support of Manus
Island refugees at a broad-based rally at Auckland Unitarian Church. "Church groups, refugee advocacy services, climate
change activists, and members of the New Zealand Parliament are all backing our Prime Minister’s offer to take 150 Manus
Island refugees," Ms Mackintosh said. "I’ll be joining them to add the support of working people in New Zealand and show
how out of touch with common decency the Australian Government’s position has become."
"When our fellow human beings are simply asking for the basics of a good life - a secure home, food, clothing, medical
treatment, the right to earn a living and be safe from violence - to treat them worse than animals shows a sickness of
spirit. Modern New Zealand is an open and tolerant society where most people feel goodwill and compassion towards their
neighbours. Working people share the same joys and struggles of maintaining decent, dignified lives and we welcome the
opportunity to help people fleeing violence make their homes in New Zealand."
"I say to the Australian Government, your politics of fear risks dividing your country and poisoning your relationships
with friends and neighbours. We are holding out our hand to work with you and solve the problem of international
displacement. Climate change, resource shortages, and changing economies are increasing conflict and driving refugee
patterns around the world. The only enduring solutions require international cooperation, and you can’t shut your door
on our shared global problems forever. Let’s start by granting these refugees asylum in a willing home."
ENDS