Last night, the safety of immigration centre detainees at risk of COVID-19 was discussed on Q&A. Unbelievably, former Deputy PM John Anderson told Australia "it might be practical to look after Australian citizens first and refugees second."

Can you pick up the phone and ask the acting Immigration Minister to release those trapped in immigration detention, before a COVID-19 breakout occurs?

Thankfully, human rights champion Craig Foster was on the panel and responded to the Deputy PM's comments, calling for people in immigration detention to be released "into the community immediately".

"Underlying chronic health conditions and compromised immune systems are two of the main risk factors for COVID-19, that's exactly what these people have," said Foster. "For the wellbeing and health of these human beings, as a country, surely it must be time to say, 'Come on, we're part of the international community here'."

Today might be the best chance we have to show politicians that we are deeply concerned about these vulnerable people in immigration detention.

Right now, can you pick up the phone and call the acting immigration minister, Alan Tudge?

Phone: +61 2 6277 7790

Here's a script you might like to use:

"Hello, my name is [NAME], I'm calling to respectfully request that the acting Immigration Minister releases people currently held in immigration detention. The coronavirus pandemic is putting their health and lives at risk. Medical experts have already called for their release into the community. These people are in our care, and we have a responsibility to protect them from coronavirus. Thank you."

Can you pick up the phone and call right now? If the line is busy, please try again - and remember, always be respectful and polite to whoever answers the phone.

Thank you,
Alison Battisson
Director Principal, Human Rights For All
Change.org/SaferAtHome #SaferAtHome

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