Liberal Senator Dean Smith will ask the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to include persecuted gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from Syria and Iraq to be included in the 12,000 refugees being granted safety in Australia.
Delivering a speech in parliament earlier this week the Western Australian Senator said he was genuinely perplexed that people in Australia, and political parties that support LGBT people had not spoken up more about incidents and attacks against LGBT people by terror organisation ISIS.
“I have been genuinely perplexed that some people or some political parties in Australia who champion the issues of LGBTI Australians have not said more or have not drawn attention to the most atrocious of incidents and attacks that happen from these violent extremist groups in the Middle East against LGBT people.” Senator Smith said.
“I hope that this government, in finding safe refuge for persecuted minorities, will find places amongst those 12,000 refugees for LGBT people whose lives are being put at risk because of their sexual orientation and because of the existence of these violent extremist groups across the Middle East.”
Senator Smith said it was his intention to raise the issue with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
OIP Staff
