Senator Ron Boswell said today he was disgusted that Labor and its fellow travellers could display total outrage at the treatment of some Australian cattle in Indonesia but, simultaneously, were sanguine about sending refugee children to Malaysia.

“The reputation of Malaysia in terms of its treatment of refugees is well enough known with widespread horrific canings, reliable reports of  people dying of communicable diseases because of the squalor in camps, and  reliable reports* as recently as 2009, of  refugee women being sold into prostitution, children to become beggars, and men into forced labour,” Senator Boswell said.

“But it has taken mistreatment of some cattle in Indonesia to bring a revolt in the Labor caucus.  There has been no revolt over the Malaysia deal.

 “Just as bad is GetUp!, which has been totally over the top about the Indonesian situation, but virtually silent on the Malaysian situation.

“As a father and a grandfather, this display sickens me to the bottom of my stomach.”

Senator Boswell said the maltreatment of Australian cattle in Indonesia was a major issue.

“The treatment of cattle revealed by 4 Corners has justifiably led to outrage,” Senator Boswell said.

“But the reaction is out of all proportion given the Government’s cynical, evil, approach to human beings.

“Comparing the government’s actions on the two issues gives substance to the observation that Labor, and apparently many of its supporters, have lost their moral compass.

“By their actions they are showing, clearly, that they care more about cattle than kids.”

• U.S. Committee for Refugees.

ENDS