Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the Department of Immigration in central Sydney calling on the Federal Government not to deport almost 270 asylum seekers to Nauru.
It was the first in a series of protests planned around the country today in response to Wednesday's High Court ruling that Australia's offshore detention at Nauru and Manus Island is legal.
The judgment cleared the way for 267 asylum seekers, including more than 30 babies, who were brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be returned to Nauru.
Protester Kay Ashton said she was ashamed of the Government's treatment of asylum seekers.
"They're just destroying people's lives," she said.
"We are just calling on them to reverse it, show some gumption, show some leadership for goodness sake."
Former immigrant Angelika Treichler said she was shocked at the Government's policy.
"I'm very, very upset that this country I've chosen to live in is now carrying out such a cruel, cruel policy. I can't believe it in fact," Ms Treichler said.
The case was launched by a Bangladeshi detainee on Nauru who was brought to Australia for treatment and later gave birth to her daughter in Brisbane.
Lawyers for the woman argued it was illegal for the Australian Government to fund and operate detention centres in a third country.
During the High Court case the Government changed the law to close a loophole in the funding arrangements, which it feared could be undermined by the challenge.
Yesterday, a majority of the court's bench found the current government arrangements were valid under the constitution.
Protester Rod Yule said the Government was failing in its obligation to protect children under their care.
"I think it's contravening their international obligations to look after the most vulnerable, to look after asylum seekers who are coming to Australia looking for refuge and protection," Mr Yule said.
"I'm disappointed in Turnbull and the Australian Government for failing to fulfil their obligations."
It was the first in a series of protests planned around the country today in response to Wednesday's High Court ruling that Australia's offshore detention at Nauru and Manus Island is legal.
The judgment cleared the way for 267 asylum seekers, including more than 30 babies, who were brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be returned to Nauru.
Protester Kay Ashton said she was ashamed of the Government's treatment of asylum seekers.
"They're just destroying people's lives," she said.
"We are just calling on them to reverse it, show some gumption, show some leadership for goodness sake."
Former immigrant Angelika Treichler said she was shocked at the Government's policy.
"I'm very, very upset that this country I've chosen to live in is now carrying out such a cruel, cruel policy. I can't believe it in fact," Ms Treichler said.
The case was launched by a Bangladeshi detainee on Nauru who was brought to Australia for treatment and later gave birth to her daughter in Brisbane.
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| Protesters rally outside the Department of Immigration in Sydney |
During the High Court case the Government changed the law to close a loophole in the funding arrangements, which it feared could be undermined by the challenge.
Yesterday, a majority of the court's bench found the current government arrangements were valid under the constitution.
Protester Rod Yule said the Government was failing in its obligation to protect children under their care.
"I think it's contravening their international obligations to look after the most vulnerable, to look after asylum seekers who are coming to Australia looking for refuge and protection," Mr Yule said.
"I'm disappointed in Turnbull and the Australian Government for failing to fulfil their obligations."
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