Statement regarding Baby Asha

The decision by the Federal Government to place Baby Asha and her mother in community detention was too slow and lacked empathy.

The fact it took a hospitalised baby girl, hundreds of people from across our community taking a principled stand in front of the hospital and expressions of disappointment from thousands more to finally move Immigration Minister Peter Dutton speaks volumes about his lack of character and compassion.

A fortnight ago, I wrote to the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about the plight of up to 50 asylum seekers currently in Queensland that faced a return to Nauru following the determination of the High Court.

On behalf of the people of Queensland, I offered our support; with the provision of housing, health, education and welfare services as the Federal Government clarified the position of the asylum seekers.

While I welcome the belated comments about Baby Asha and her mother, I repeat that request for all asylum seekers still in limbo due to the failure of the Federal Government to respond to the High Court decision.

These people - they are people, Mr Dutton - deserved the compassion typified by the doctors and nurses working in the hospital and the hundreds of people standing outside it for the last two weeks.

Tony Abbott made the compassionate decision to permanently resettle 12,000 refugees from Syria and Iraq.

My Government has offered to resettle 3500 Syrian refugees in Queensland and we are working toward being part of the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa program for the resettlement of refugees granted settlement in Australia.