The Greens candidate for Macquarie, Terry Morgan, will launch his campaign from the seat of his bicycle on Thursday, June 2.
The Blackheath resident will ride the length of the electorate from Mt Victoria to St Albans, a distance of 142 kilometres. He aims to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and asylum seekers who are suffering indefinite detention on Manus Island and Nauru.
“These people have committed no crime. They are fleeing persecution, and simply seeking a safe and decent life for themselves and their families,” Mr Morgan said.
He is inviting supporters and friends to ride all or part of the way with him, and to make a donation to the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown, NSW, which provides practical and personal support for asylum seekers living in the community.
The Ride for Refugees will start from Mt Victoria Railway Station at 7am, travelling via the Great Western Highway to Springwood, then to Richmond, Windsor, Pitt Town, Maroota and Wiseman’s Ferry. The riders will cross the Hawkesbury River on the Webb Creek Ferry and finish at the St Albans Hotel around 6pm.
A number of brief stops will be made along the route to meet with Greens members and supporters.
Mr Morgan will officially launch his campaign at the Hawkesbury Lookout, Hawkesbury Heights, about 11am. Another stop is planned in Windsor before the final 65-kilometre push to St Albans.
While he anticipates being stiff and sore the next day, Mr Morgan is confident of finishing the ride.
“I’ve ridden distances like this in one day before, but not for some time. Sore muscles are nothing compared with the suffering being inflicted on innocent men, women and children by the Australian Government, with the support of Labor, simply because they’ve come here in desperation seeking our help,” he said.
Keen interest in the refugee issue shown by many people has inspired Mr Morgan to undertake the ride. “As I meet and talk with people on the campaign trail, I’m heartened by the level of concern and compassion expressed by young and old,” he said.
“There is a change of mood happening across Australia. People find it hard to understand how condemning refugees to mental illness, self-harm and suicide can be justified as a border protection measure. Both the government and the Labor opposition have abandoned any pretence of fairness and decency. Only The Greens maintain a humane approach to asylum seekers and refugees, and I’m confident that Macquarie voters will support this at the ballot box.”
