BY TIM GOODEN

GEELONG — At its February 5 meeting, the executive of Geelong's Trades Hall Council recommended to affiliated unions that they call for a more humane approach to the treatment of refugees than that pursued by the federal Coalition government.

The executive's motion was strengthened by an amendment from the floor calling for the closure of the detention centres and more resources for the immigration department to process applications. The motion was unanimously supported after many delegates vented their displeasure about the way the Howard government, with the support of the ALP, is treating refugees.

Trades Hall secretary John Kranz said: “The unanimous decision of council reflects the deep concern that people have about the way politicians use the refugee question to divide workers.”

Discussions among delegates continued after the meeting closed about the urgency of the refugees situation. This resulted in an invitation being extended to members of the

Socialist Alliance to speak about the refugee crisis at a Geelong ALP sub-branch meeting later this month.

From Green Left Weekly, February 13, 2002.
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