Kylea shares her week on the campaign trail
Week 19: Highlighting serious human rights issues
I’ve had several conversations recently in our community about the latest Human Rights Watch Annual World Report. The report highlights “serious human rights issues” that tarnish Australia’s global standing, including our climate policy and treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
I found the spotlight on asylum seekers particularly confronting, particularly at a time when Australia was making international headlines for the “Djokovic saga”. Djokovic’s case was fought loudly and publicly. There was court intervention, and eventually Ministerial intervention, before the tennis star was deported. In total, he spent 11 days in Australia, including five nights in immigration detention. People were equally outraged and dismayed.
Sadly, many of the people who arrive in Australia seeking asylum face far worse. Forty people are currently held indefinitely by our government in hotels, without recourse to a just process of review, at a cost of $450,000 per detainee per year. Then there is community detention – where the Biloela family is still facing an uncertain future – and various immigration detention centres in Australia and offshore.
In total, our approach to asylum seekers is estimated to cost taxpayers over $1 billion a year currently, and around $5 billion a year before Manus and Nauru stopped imprisoning detainees. To spend so much just to “punish” so few simply seems completely fiscally irresponsible and without any human capacity for compassion.
Australia needs to reform its immigration laws and what we do know is that this type of reform has only happened in the past when there has been a strong independent cross bench in place to pull the major parties to the table. Let’s be the change we want to see, North Sydney, and bring true leadership back to Canberra.
Recent blog posts
Week 35: A message from Kylea on election eve...
May 20, 2022
It's been an incredible 35 weeks since we embarked on this adventure to have an Independent voice for our community elected to federal parliament.
Week 34: This week will decide our future
May 13, 2022
This is it, North Sydney — the final week that will shape Australian politics for the next three years and beyond. If you want a strong, Independent voice for our community in parliament, now is the time to use your voice to advocate for change.
Week 33: Why we need more reason and consensus, and less grandstanding
May 06, 2022
Housing affordability is one of our society’s most pressing issues, but has unfortunately — and predictably — become overly politicised as Election Day nears.
Week 32: Support for the arts and an event bonanza
April 29, 2022
Many in our community believe that Australia's arts sector needs more targeted, generous support - including for the SBS and ABC.
Week 31: Thinking of our Anzacs and those affected by war
April 22, 2022
This weekend, we commemorate our Anzacs, who so bravely served our nation.
Week 30: My plan for cleaner, cheaper transport
April 15, 2022
This week, I announced my plan to bring to Parliament a Cheaper, Cleaner Transport Bill to reduce pollution from our cars. I've consulted extensively with policy, industry experts and consumer groups to develop this plan, which will align Australia with international standards, and bring us a little closer to meeting our emissions reduction goals.
10am Every Friday
Kylea's newsletter hits the inboxes of people right across our electorate of North Sydney. Stay up to date with Kylea's plans and progress as she tells us about her week speaking with people in our community. We'll also highlight the latest campaign events and initiatives to get involved with.