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Greens slam offshore detention solution

The Greens have slammed any proposal by the federal government to process asylum seekers in Pacific nations calling it a 'waste of time.'

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Source: AAP


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The Greens have slammed any proposal by the federal government to process asylum seekers in Pacific nations.

They describe the idea of a detention centre in the Solomon Islands, Malaysia or Nauru as "terrible".

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Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young on Saturday held a press conference outside Villawood detention centre, in Sydney's west, where she met detainees and staff.

"How much time, energy, public resources are wasted on these proposed solutions that do nothing but try and push Australia's obligations offshore, out of sight and out of mind," Ms Hanson-Young told reporters.

"An Australian detention centre in the Solomon Islands is a terrible, terrible idea.

"A detention centre in Nauru is a terrible idea. Sending people to Malaysia is a terrible idea."

The federal government is working on a deal with Malaysia that will see Australia send 800 boat people to the Pacific nation for

processing in exchange for 4000 of its refugees.

The former Howard government established detention centres at Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

But The Weekend Australian reported on Saturday that other Pacific nations, such as the Soloman Islands, are keen to be part of the plan.

Ms Hanson-Young said a Pacific solution was a waste of time and money.


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