Refugee advocates miss out on Dutton meeting

REFUGEE advocates from the Geelong region say they were denied entry to an event in Highton attended by federal Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton.

The event, hosted by Corangamite federal member and fellow Liberal Sarah Henderson, was held at the Highton Bowls Club on Monday night.

Representatives of the Aireys Inlet, Apollo Bay and Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees, Bellarine for Refugees, the Winchelsea Refugee Support Group and Geelong’s Combined Refugee Action Group held a protest outside the venue as Mr Dutton arrived

Retired Anglican bishop Peter Danaher said he was very disappointed not to receive notice of the meeting, which he said was promoted as a “community forum”.

“I thought I was on Sarah Henderson’s mailing list, as I regularly correspond with Sarah on matters relating to people seeking asylum.

“When I heard about the meeting I contacted her office to try to register for it, but was told that it wasn’t possible to attend, as the event was ‘already at capacity’.

“I went to the venue regardless and could see plenty of spare seats, but was turned away at the door, along with others who expressed an interest in attending.”

A spokesperson for Ms Henderson said the event was not a Liberal Party fundraiser (which are often invite-only) but a community forum, and more than 3,000 constituents had been invited.

Aireys Inlet RAR co-ordinator Mary Bremner said she had a similar experience to Mr Danaher.

“I worry for the future of democracy in this country when our local member holds an event for the community, but does her best to prevent the attendance of people who hold an alternative view point to that of the government.”

Ms Henderson’s spokesperson also confirmed that a representative from this newspaper was not invited to the event.