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Greenpeace campaigns director Danny Kennedy said, “It is frightening
that in Australia in 2005 someone can be detained without charge nor
any evidence of a threat to national security. Insult is added to
injury to our civil liberties that the freedom of the press is now
denied.”
“All Australians have a right to know if their security has been threatened, by a peace activist, but the Commonwealth has not been forthcoming on explaining their draconian actions,” said Mr Kennedy.
DIMIA had originally forced Mr Parkin to sign a waiver of his rights to appeal but today backed down.
A letter written by Julian Burnside, QC and Melbourne solicitors to DIMIA today on Mr Parkin's behalf, put forward the proposition that under Section 198 (1) of the Migration Act, the Commonwealth could 'remove' Mr Parkin, despite claims from Attorney General Phillip Ruddock that he would be 'deported' which is a more severe situation.
Julian Burnside QC said, “If Scott Parkin was involved in something unlawful, then he should have been charged and if he has done nothing wrong then this looks like interference with political protest.”
“This shows the government is able to grossly interfere with the freedom of people and remain completely unaccountable.”
“Why should be be treated like a criminal and kicked out of Australia if he has not broken any laws?” asked Mr Burnside.
Mr Parkin's lawyers today resubmitted his appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal to overturn the grounds of the visa revocation, and this appeal will be continued on his behalf after his return to the USA.
Danny Kennedy said, “Mr Parkin has asserted his rights and will challenge the visa revocation in order to clear his name, even while he is back in Texas.”
“The Parkin case sets a terrible precedent for peace campaigners.”
“If Martin Luther King Jr had been trying to get into Australia at this time, he would called be a threat to national security and denied a visa, based on this development,” said Mr Kennedy.
“The Commonwealth is sending a message to the international community that if you care for peace you could be ejected from our country,” concluded Mr Kennedy.
“All Australians have a right to know if their security has been threatened, by a peace activist, but the Commonwealth has not been forthcoming on explaining their draconian actions,” said Mr Kennedy.
DIMIA had originally forced Mr Parkin to sign a waiver of his rights to appeal but today backed down.
A letter written by Julian Burnside, QC and Melbourne solicitors to DIMIA today on Mr Parkin's behalf, put forward the proposition that under Section 198 (1) of the Migration Act, the Commonwealth could 'remove' Mr Parkin, despite claims from Attorney General Phillip Ruddock that he would be 'deported' which is a more severe situation.
Julian Burnside QC said, “If Scott Parkin was involved in something unlawful, then he should have been charged and if he has done nothing wrong then this looks like interference with political protest.”
“This shows the government is able to grossly interfere with the freedom of people and remain completely unaccountable.”
“Why should be be treated like a criminal and kicked out of Australia if he has not broken any laws?” asked Mr Burnside.
Mr Parkin's lawyers today resubmitted his appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal to overturn the grounds of the visa revocation, and this appeal will be continued on his behalf after his return to the USA.
Danny Kennedy said, “Mr Parkin has asserted his rights and will challenge the visa revocation in order to clear his name, even while he is back in Texas.”
“The Parkin case sets a terrible precedent for peace campaigners.”
“If Martin Luther King Jr had been trying to get into Australia at this time, he would called be a threat to national security and denied a visa, based on this development,” said Mr Kennedy.
“The Commonwealth is sending a message to the international community that if you care for peace you could be ejected from our country,” concluded Mr Kennedy.
For further information or comment
Media inquiries, Paul Sheridan 0410 516 656 Greenpeace contact,Dan Cass 0408 468 488
