George Christensen MP

Federal Member for Dawson

Labor MP admits caning a possibility in Malaysia
Labor backbencher Graham Perrett has let the cat out of the bag by admitting in a tweet that there is a possibility that asylum seekers sent to Malaysia under the Gillard Labor governments people swap plan could be caned. Responding to a tweet from Federal MP George Christensen declaring that Labor want 2 take #boatpeople from terror of raging waters & rocks off Xmas Island 2 terror of jackboot & rattan in a Malaysian refugee camp, Mr Perrett admitted there was a slim possibility of them being caned.

Mr Christensen said the tweet was an admission that the Malaysia people swap deal did not afford appropriate protections to asylum seekers. The Gillard Labor government say there are going to be protections under the socalled Oakeshott bill but the reality is, as Mr Perrett says, there is a possibility that they could be caned in some squalid Malaysian refugee camp as a result, Mr Christensen said. Mr Perrett says its a slim possibility but any possibility of this happening is not a good one and the fact is Malaysia has form on this. This is exactly why the Liberal National Coalition cannot support the Gillard governments Malaysia people swap deal. Mr Christensen said Mr Perretts admission needed to be addressed by Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and Prime Minister Julia Gillard. ENDS Thursday, 28 June 2012

PO Box 1697, Mackay Qld 4740 | 07 4944 0662 | george.christensen.mp@aph.gov.au

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