21/10/2009 - 08:41

The Prime Minister must show some leadership and take the venom out of the debate on asylum seekers, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Immigration and Human Rights, says both Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull are doing themselves and the public a disservice by continuing to refer to asylum seekers as "illegal''.

People who are fleeing persecution have every right to seek asylum under international law, and the Press Council has warned that the use of the words "illegal" or "illegals" in coverage of the issue is inaccurate.

"As a career diplomat, Mr Rudd knows very well the importance of the words he uses,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.