We had hoped that Australia had moved past this.
The Greens believe that, in the country of the fair go, we should be able to embrace a decent and compassionate attitude to refugees.
Sadly, both Labor and Liberal are once again locked in a race to the bottom, opting for harsh new policies for asylum seekers.
Both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Liberal Leader Tony Abbott want to re-visit off-shore processing of asylum seekers.
Both leaders want policies that 'deter' asylum seekers from asking Australia for protection with policies that will be harder on refugees and more harmful to children in detention.
The Greens believe this is wrong. We recognise that the small number of people who arrive by boat seeking protection deserve to have their case heard and be treated humanely.
Let’s get things into perspective:
The vast majority of people seeking asylum in Australia arrive by plane
- 95% of asylum seekers arriving by boat are found to be genuine refugees
- Just 3441 asylum seekers were given refugee status in Australia last year, roughly 1% of the total migration program for that year.
- In comparison, around 50,000 people over-stayed their visa last year alone – mostly people with business, student or holiday visas
- Australia only accepts 1% of the worlds’ refugees
- At the current rate of refugee arrivals, it would take 20 years to fill the MCG
- It is not illegal to arrive in Australia seeking asylum.
Fleeing persecution is not an orderly process.
We need a system that recognises this while still assessing who has a genuine reason and right to protection and who does not.
Those found to be refugees should be welcomed into our community and those who are not must be returned home safely.
Julia Gillard’s continued suspension of processing of Afghan applications is cruel and her proposal to process East Timor “Pacific Solution” is unfair.
How can we expect the poorest nation in our region to carry the humanitarian load of a nation as lucky and wealthy as Australia?
No ‘regional partnership’ will be effective in offering protection to those genuinely in need unless the Government increases the numbers of refugees to be resettled in Australia.
Without an increase to the humanitarian intake, refugees will be trapped in detention centres in other countries while Australia washes its hands of responsibility.
Onshore mainland processing of asylum applications provides the most humane and efficient way to determine who is a genuine refugee and who is not.
If you believe in preserving the Australian fair-go, looking after the little guy and the need for compassion for our fellow human beings, it is clearer than ever that you need a strong Green voice in Parliament.
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