Let Zimbabweans in, say Oz farm leaders
By Boyd Champness
THE National Farmers Federation has supported moves by the Howard Government to provide a “safe haven” refuge for Zimbabwean farmers besieged by violence.
“They are fellow farmers,” NFF president Ian Donges told The Weekly Times.
“The Government has made overtures about helping them (out of their present situation) and we agree with this.
“I dont see why they shouldnt be able to stay permanently in Australia if they comply with immigration rules,” Mr Donges said.
In a violent grab for land, black independence war veterans in Zimbabwe have killed several farmers and farm workers, as well as one of the countrys Opposition politicians.
The Federal Government announced last week that it was making contingency plans to accommodate some of Zimbabwes violence-plagued farmers as refugees if their safety could not be guaranteed.