Vic: Fed Court grants injunction to stop govt from moving Tampa

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2001
Vic: Fed Court grants injunction to stop govt from moving Tampa

MELBOURNE, Aug 31 AAP - The Federal Court tonight granted an injunction stopping the
federal government from taking any steps to remove the MS Tampa from Australian territorial
waters.

The Victorian Council for Civil Liberties (VCCL) went to court today seeking an injunction
to block any attempt to drive the asylum seekers aboard the MS Tampa out of Australian
waters.

The council lodged an application in the Federal Court in Melbourne asking that the
commonwealth government allow the asylum seekers to be brought to shore so they can lodge
applications for refugee status.

The group plans to seek a writ of habeas corpus next week, saying the refugees have
been unlawfully detained.

Justice Anthony North granted the injunction at a hearing tonight.

The injunction will be in force until 2.15pm (AEST) tomorrow.

The hearing as been adjourned briefly to allow the lawyer for the federal government
to seek instructions.

AAP ra/clr/mjm/sb

KEYWORD: BOAT INJUNCTION

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.