An Aboriginal group says asylum seekers detained at Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre are welcome in Australia.
The Treaty Republic’s Robbie Thorpe says two Tamil detainees will be given “Original Nation Passports” at the detention centre on Monday afternoon as a symbolic welcome to the country.
“The Australian government has no legitimate right to grant or refuse entry to anyone in this country, let alone lock up people fleeing war and persecution,” Mr Thorpe says.
“We are issuing passports to these men because it’s what any reasonable, humane society would do.
“We expect these men to be responsive to traditional law, and respect the Indigenous customs of this land.
“If they do this, which we expect that they will, then they will be welcome to live amongst us.”