FED:Iranian orphan case mishandled, says Brown

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2011
FED:Iranian orphan case mishandled, says Brown

SYDNEY, Feb 19 AAP - The case of an Iranian boy orphaned during the Christmas Island
boat tragedy has been mishandled by the federal government, Greens leader Bob Brown says.

Nine-year-old Seena was one of 22 survivors from the asylum-seeker boat that broke
up off Christmas Island on December 15, killing up to 50 people, including his parents.

This week he was returned by authorities to Christmas Island after attending his father's
funeral in Sydney.

But after the threat of court action by human rights lawyers he has since been given
permission to return to Australia and will remain in the care of his aunt.

"The sending back of that boy from Sydney this week was not just a political mistake
but it's a real human error," Senator Brown said in Sydney on Saturday.

"The Australian community will be behind the Gillard government if it says these are
children and we are going to treat those children in our community."

Senator Brown was speaking in the city's inner west, where the Greens hope to pick
up support in the March state election.

He urged voters to be critical before backing the NSW Coalition, which is widely tipped
to win power.

Senator Brown questioned what opposition leader Barry O'Farrell would do about the
destruction of NSW's wild forests and to protect biodiversity.

"Will he give an ironclad guarantee that there would be no invasion of the NSW national
parks ... with the national party breathing down their necks?" Senator Brown said.

AAP mdg/it

KEYWORD: BOAT BOY BROWN

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