Today Senator Milne's office received this letter from Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick;

Dear Senator Milne,

The Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) represents more than 65,000 nurses, midwives and carers industrially and professionally. We hold a conference annually when some 550 Job Representatives from across the slate, representing !he wider membership, gather and debate a number of motions.

Please see below the following resolution passed at the recent 2012 ANF (Vic Branch) Annual Delegates Conference:

THAT THIS CONFERENCE OF NURSES, NOTING THAT:

• ASYLUM SEEKERS RISK DANGEROUS BOAT JOURNEYS TO ESCAPE WAR, DISCRIMINATION AND DICTATORSHIPS THAT PERSECUTE THEM
• OFFSHORE PROCESSING AND TEMPORARY PROTECTtON VISAS DO NOT SAVE LIVES
• WHAT SAVES LIVES IS ENSURING THAT PEOPLE CAN SEEK ASYLUM IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTED WAY
• WHAT SAVES LIVES IS ENSURING THAT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HONOURS ITS OBLIGATIONS AS A SIGNATORY TO THE UN CONVENTION ON REFUGEES AND THE UN CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS

EXPRESS DEEP SYMPATHY AT THE RECENT SEA TRAGEDIES AND CALL ON THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE REAL CAUSES OF THE REFUGEE FLOW, IMPROVE PROCESSING FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS, STOP MANDATORY DETENTION OF CHILDREN AND REACH A SPEEDY BIPARTISAN SOLUTION.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Fitzpatrick

Secretary - ANF (Vic Branch)