The Australian government should make public Beijing's pressure campaign to stop Australia taking Guantanamo Bay inmates, who are Uighurs, found totally innocent of any charge, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

The Australian foreign ministry says ‘it is not our practice to divulge the content of discussions with foreign governments', but China's government is publicly demanding that the Uighurs are sent back to trial in China and, no doubt, further ill-treatment.

Greens Leader Bob Brown says that the government rebels who have stood against the exile of refugees to Nauru deserve congratulations.
 
"They are brave hearts for decency.  Minister Vanstone should close the line to Jakarta and ask these good Liberals to give her advice instead". Senator Brown said.
 
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Prime Minister John Howard should reverse the blunder of legislating for West Papuan refugees to be banned from Australian soil, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Sydney today.
 
"There is no common ground between a Nauruan solution and processing refugees in Australia. That given, the PM should look at how to allay Indonesian anxiety that Australia will simply be a receptacle for West Papuans activists," Senator Brown said.
 

 Today's Newspoll showing that three quarters of Australians disagree with changes to our immigration laws should make the government change tack, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"The widespread public opposition to these laws is because they are shaped to appease Jakarta and specifically aimed against West Papuans fleeing to Australia. The laws are racist and indecent," Senator Brown said.
 

Greens Victorian Senate Candidate Charmaine Clarke today launched the Australian Greens immigration and population policies in Melbourne with ethnic Green candidates.

"The Greens are putting forward a humanitarian and far sighted immigration policy that celebrates Australia"s migrant identity," said Ms Clarke

"In a year when immigration has been such a controversial issue the Greens are championing the rights of migrants. The Greens believe that the presence in Australia of people of many cultural backgrounds enriches our society.

The Greens are sponsoring community "Put One National Last" protests on

Sunday, June 7, 1998.

Brisbane

11am, Rally starts King George Square.

Sydney

11.30 am Queensland Travel Centre 156 Castlereagh St, City.

Hobart

11am, Wall of Friendship Garden, 188 Collins St, City

Speakers from various community groups threatened by the policies of One Nation will address the protests in each state.

Greens Senator Bob Brown will address the rally in Brisbane.