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Australian actress Cate Blanchett has slammed her home country’s hardline anti-migration policies.
Blanchett, who is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador, gave an emotional speech to the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, presenting insights into the plight of refugees and stateless people around the world.
The 54-year-old called on the European Union to provide $600 million in support for the protection of displaced refugees, and to help dispel ‘dangerous myths’ about migration.
‘I am not denying that this is complex,’ she told the European Parliament.
During her address, the Academy Award winner drew attention to Australia’s refugee policy, which for years has seen asylum-seekers sent to detention centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
Australian actress Cate Blanchett, 54, (pictured) slammed her home country’s hardline anti-migration policies during a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday
The mother-of-four said she felt ‘shame and regret’ about Australia’s policy, noting the psychological impact experienced by many detained refugees.
‘As an Australian, I can tell you that we learnt the hard way; the devastating physical and mental torment that refugees experienced while corralled offshore.’
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‘The psychological damage to those guarding them. The billions of dollars of taxpayers money wasted on a now discredited and largely abandoned approach.’
During her address, the Academy Award winner drew attention to Australia’s refugee policy, which for years has seen asylum-seekers sent to detention centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru
The mother-of-four said she felt ‘shame and regret’ about Australia’s policy, noting the psychological impact experienced by many detained refugees
‘And, may I say, the resultant shame and regret many of us feel surrounding these ineffective and inhumane policies,’ Blanchett added.
Blanchett however did not take aim at any EU countries, despite the recent stiffening of refugee policies by the likes of Italy, Poland and Hungary.
Her speech was capped with a standing ovation.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a United Nations agency created to protect and aid refugees.
Blanchett was announced as Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR in 2006.
Blanchett was announced as Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR in 2006
