Sri Lankan asylum seekers should receive legal advice

"The interviews being conducted without legal advice on Nauru highlight the problems with off-shore processing.  If they were being processed in Australia they would have had access to independent legal advice," said Senator Nettle.

"The processing system and standards on Nauru are far murkier than in the process in Australia, and these people are having to navigate the system without legal assistance.  The Greens are concerned that a fair and just outcome may not result.

"The government should have waited until the Sri Lankans who have retained a lawyer had the opportunity to have proper legal advice.

"The government should not do a quick and dirty job of processing these people just to meet the six month deadline imposed by Nauru.

"The sensible and less expensive option would be to bring the 83 Sri Lankans to Australia where they can receive legal advice more easily and better processing system is in place.

"Failing that, the government should provide adequate funding for a legal team to fly to Nauru and advice the Sri Lankans.

Contact:  Max Phillips 0414 338 526