Great-granny from Mosman ‘ashamed’ at Abbott government’s treatment of refugees

GWYNETH Crawford is appalled at the Federal Government’s handling of refugees, and this great-grandmother wants everyone in Sydney to know it.

GREAT GRANNY SUPPORTS REFUGEES

A GREAT-grandmother has taken a stand against Australia’s offshore asylum-seeker camps by placing a giant banner outside her Mosman home.

Gwyneth Crawford, 87, is so appalled by the conditions they are living in that she felt she had to do something.

“These are people we could save and not let them rot away,” she said.

A processing centre for asylum seekers on Nauru. Picture: Bradley Hunter

A similar facility on Manus Island for the detention of asylum seekers. Picture: Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship via Getty Images

Mrs Crawford wants the government to start bringing them to Australia for processing and not distinguish between people who arrive by boat and plane.

She said no one knew she ordered the banner and her family were “very proud” of her taking a stand.

ASYLUM SEEKER ON HUNGER STRIKE

BOAT RETURNED TO SRI LANKA

The 6x1m sign was placed in her garden just before Christmas and has become a talking point among motorists on busy Spit Rd.

Asylum seekers on Christmas Island in July 2013. Picture: Colin Murty

A representative from the Refugee Council of Australia has visited her home to offer her support and she has also received a message of congratulations from the local Australian Labor Party branch, of which she is a member.

No one has asked her to take it down.

“I’m glad I’m drawing people’s attention to a terrible thing we are doing,” she said.

“It’s not just our reputation ... it’s the people themselves that are suffering.”

Navy personnel pull survivors and bodies from the water after a boat crashed into Christmas Island in 2010. Picture: Amy Rossbach and Allan Krepp

An Australian Navy vessel sailing alongside a wooden boat carrying up to 180 asylum seekers on the waters off Christmas Island in 2012. Picture: Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency

Mrs Crawford has six children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is a retired vocational counsellor and has lived at Mosman for the past 20 years

A spokeswoman for the Refugee Council commended Mrs Crawford on her bravery. “I think anyone who takes a stance for a cause they believe in is brave,” the spokeswoman said.

There are two offshore detention centres for asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island.

A spokesman for Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said that recent changes to border protection legislation mean that people who arrive by boat cannot apply for a protection visa.

“Australia and our partners share a strong commitment to achieving humanitarian outcomes for refugees in our region,” he said.

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