THE Tasmanian Labor branch has broken with national party policy to reject offshore detention and turning back asylum seeker boats. A majority of delegates rejected the measures, which were earlier endorsed at the ALP's national conference, after a heated debate. In July, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten secured support to adopt a boat turn back policy after a deeply polarising internal debate. The ALP also backed continuing with offshore processing on Nauru and Manus Island, with the commitments balanced against strengthening other humanitarian initiatives. But Labor delegate Stuart Benson lashed out at the measures at the party's state conference on Sunday, saying they were uncompassionate and unfair. "Returning people to danger, uncertainty and potential torture does not align with our core Labor values," he said. "Our mission as a party is to help the helpless, not harm them." Labor Senator Helen Polley was among several delegates to speak in support of turning back boats. "We have to remember that we cannot, and I will not, be responsible to witness more people dying at sea," Senator Polley said. "As a Labor government, we failed these 1200 refugees that died at sea." Young Labor leader Adam Clarke hit back at those supporting the policies. "I am sick of people using the tragedy of people dying at sea as cover for their shallow political expediency," Mr Clarke said. "Solidarity cuts deep and it cuts both ways, and on this issue Bill Shorten is fundamentally wrong." Most delegates voted in favour of stripping boat turn backs and offshore detention from Labor's policy. However, the split does not directly affect the national party's platform.
Labor Senator Helen Polley at the party's state conference in Hobart. Picture: PAUL SCAMBLER
THE Tasmanian Labor branch has broken with national party policy to reject offshore detention and turning back asylum seeker boats.
A majority of delegates rejected the measures, which were earlier endorsed at the ALP's national conference, after a heated debate.
In July, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten secured support to adopt a boat turn back policy after a deeply polarising internal debate.
The ALP also backed continuing with offshore processing on Nauru and Manus Island, with the commitments balanced against strengthening other humanitarian initiatives.
But Labor delegate Stuart Benson lashed out at the measures at the party's state conference on Sunday, saying they were uncompassionate and unfair.
"Returning people to danger, uncertainty and potential torture does not align with our core Labor values," he said.
"Our mission as a party is to help the helpless, not harm them."
Labor Senator Helen Polley was among several delegates to speak in support of turning back boats.
"We have to remember that we cannot, and I will not, be responsible to witness more people dying at sea," Senator Polley said.
"As a Labor government, we failed these 1200 refugees that died at sea."
Young Labor leader Adam Clarke hit back at those supporting the policies.
"I am sick of people using the tragedy of people dying at sea as cover for their shallow political expediency," Mr Clarke said.
"Solidarity cuts deep and it cuts both ways, and on this issue Bill Shorten is fundamentally wrong."
Most delegates voted in favour of stripping boat turn backs and offshore detention from Labor's policy.
However, the split does not directly affect the national party's platform.
