Australia has much to lament this World Refugee Day, Greens Immigration Spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“There are still hundreds of men, women and children trapped in detention on Manus Island and Nauru because of Labor and the Liberals’ cruel policies,“ Senator McKim said.

“Meanwhile, Australia’s refugee intake remains completely inadequate.”

“This government is also attacking refugees and people seeking asylum here in Australia by cutting financial support.”

Comments from Labor and Liberal candidates for Braddon about takayna show how ignorant the old parties are about the values of the area.

“The Tarkine/takayna is a rich and wonderful part of the world with unique Aboriginal cultural heritage and spectacular wilderness. It should be protected as a National Park,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.

“Neither Mr Whiteley nor Ms Keay understand the true value of the area and the threats it is facing.”

Labor and the Liberals have again stitched up a cosy deal to reduce people’s basic rights and freedoms, Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“The foreign influence laws, even as amended, will impact on people’s freedom of speech and freedom of association,” Senator McKim said.

“It is yet another step down the dangerous path towards authoritarianism.”

“While we certainly need to guard against hostile foreign influence and interference, the old parties have rushed into a cosy deal which predictably gets the balance wrong.”

Delays in the Family Court system should be addressed by more funding for the courts, legal aid and community legal centres, Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“Families should have their cases resolved quickly and compassionately,” Senator McKim said.

“Unfortunately that is not happening because of overstretched courts, community legal centres and legal aid.”

“The Liberals urgently need to invest in these areas to help families in crisis move on and resolve their cases.”

Labor’s refusal to even discuss a more humane approach to refugees shows the party leadership has learned nothing from five years of death and misery on Manus Island and Nauru, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“Bill Shorten and the factional bosses have decided yet again to lock in behind Peter Dutton’s campaign of misery,” Senator McKim said.

“This is a crackdown on compassion and hugely disappointing to the millions of Australians who don’t support what is being done in their names.”

The death of a Rohingyan refugee who was in Australia’s care on Manus Island is another preventable tragedy that is a direct result of the bipartisan policy of cruelty, Greens Immigration Senator Nick McKim says.

“This man sought Australia’s help, and suffered years of deprivation for daring to ask,” Senator McKim said.

“His death is a direct result of political decisions of the Labor and Liberal parties.”

“He faced the impossible choice of indefinite detention, or returning to face ethnic cleansing in Myanmar.”

Peter Dutton’s plans to demand documents from people at airports without justification must be resisted, Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“People should be free to live without arbitrary harassment and being forced to carry ID wherever they go,” Senator McKim said.

“Demanding people produce documents on the spot is a hallmark of police states.”

“This is the slow march of authoritarianism. It starts in airports – how long until it’s random checks on the streets or in people’s homes?”

The Greens have noted today’s poll showing nearly 80% of Austra

The Greens will move in the Senate to overturn recent changes to the Assurance of Support scheme, which drastically increase the income people need to earn before applying for a number of family reunion visas.

"These changes are unfair and punitive, and will put family reunions out of the reach of too many people living and working in Australia,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

"It is already too expensive and takes too long for families to be reunified in Australia."

Changes to family reunion visa requirements are an attack on families and a cut to Australia’s immigration levels by stealth, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“It is already too expensive and takes too long for families to be reunited through Australia’s visa system,” Senator McKim said.

“By more than doubling the financial requirements for family reunion visas, Peter Dutton is robbing families of the chance to be together unless they are very well off.”

“It is a slap in the face for migrant families, and a cut to immigration levels by stealth.”