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MPs urged to give the gift of freedom this Christmas

27 November 2015

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Stuart McMillan has joined faith leaders across the country in appealing for the release of children from immigration detention.

In an open letter to federal members of parliament published in today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Mr McMillan and other church leaders are urging MPs to vote for legislation that would allow the release of all children in onshore immigration detention centres.

The legislation is likely to be voted on in the House of Representatives next week.

“We are calling on all parliamentarians to give the gift of freedom to these children and their families this Christmas,” said Mr McMillan.

“As faith leaders, we are appealing to our politicians to do the right thing.

“This time last year the Government promised to release all children from detention but some are still there. The Senate has voted in favour of the legislation and now it is the turn of MPs to make good on that promise.

“We are also inviting all Australians of goodwill to join us by contacting their local Member of Parliament and asking them to vote next week for the release of children.

There can be no greater gift for these children this Christmas than freedom,” said Mr McMillan.

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