Premier Daniel Andrews Pens Open Letter To PM, Offers Refugees Homes In VIC

“Dear Prime Minister 

I write to inform you that Victoria stands ready to assist and care for the children and their families who were brought to Australia from Nauru.

Following the recent High Court decision, this group faces the prospect of return to Nauru. But they should stay in Australia and you can make this decision.

A sense of compassion is not only in the best interests of these children and their families. It is also in the best interests of our status as a fair and decent nation.

There are infants among this group who were born in our country. Sending them to Nauru will needlessly expose them to a life of physical and emotional trauma.

It’s wrong. Medical professionals tell us this. Humanitarian agencies tell us this. Our values tell us this, too. Sending these children and their families to Nauru is not the Australian way.

While I believe that in such clearly exceptional circumstances as these, you have a clear obligation to support these children and their families, a political argument is of no benefit to them.

Instead, I write to inform you that Victoria will accept full responsibility for all of these children and their families including the provision of housing, health, education and welfare services. 

I want these children and their families to call Victoria home. 

Given we stand ready to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for these children and their families, there is no justification for their removal. 

Sending these children to a life of trauma on a sparse Pacific island is not a fair solution. We look forward to working with your Government to find a better one. 

Yours sincerely,

The Hon Daniel Andrews MP
Premier”

While the Prime Minister is yet to respond, the letter has already drawn significant praise.