Media Releases

Media Release

The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today congratulated Prime Minister John Howard and MHR Petro Georgiou on their agreement to modify Australia’s immigration detention procedures.

“The changes implemented by the government,” said AIJAC Executive Director Dr. Colin Rubenstein, “seem to strike an appropriate balance between humanitarian concerns and border protection. It seems likely they will help achieve the Prime Minister’s pledge of May 31 of a ‘speedier, more flexible, more humane’ administration of immigration policy.”

AIJAC applauded the Prime Minister for his creative statesmanship, as well as Mr. Georgiou and his colleagues for their principled and resolute stand. Dr. Rubenstein concluded, “We hope that the adopted modifications to the policy will combine compassion with considerations of national security to create the best outcome for all concerned.”

For further information please contact Dr Colin Rubenstein on (03) 9681 6660 or 0418 339 721