Fed: Refugee activists plan protest at Howard speech

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2001
Fed: Refugee activists plan protest at Howard speech

MELBOURNE, Aug 31 AAP - Refugee activists are planning to deliver a strong message
to Prime Minister John Howard today to voice opposition over the refusal to allow the
Tampa boat people to land.

Mr Howard will launch a book - Liberalism and the Australian Federation - charting
the Liberal Party's history at the Melbourne's Sofitel Hotel at 10am (AEST).

Refugee Action Collective spokesman Simon O'Neill said the order for SAS troops to
board the Tampa had militarised Australia's borders.

The Australian action must be condemned as an act of piracy, he said.

"The simple mathematics of over 20 million refugees worldwide mean it is inevitable
some will end up here in Australia," Mr O'Neill said.

Protest organiser Damien Lawson said both the coalition and ALP deserved condemnation
for refusing to allow the Tampa asylum seekers to land at Christmas Island.

Mr O'Neill said both major parties were implementing One Nation policies by voting
to deny asylum seekers sanctuary in Australia.

AAP svm/jlw/cjh

KEYWORD: BOAT PROTEST (CARRIED EARLIER)

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