Thread: Finally the Aus Goverment have started showing some balls!

Australia has a lot of illegal immigrants alot, if not the majority are Brits. Would Be good to see something done about them.

Originally Posted by Mr R Sole

every other faith lived hand in hand next door to each other when I was young in the UK...apart from the crazy Jevo's...no one luike them

I quite like the Jehovah's when they come round I make them a cup of tea and play them my Carpenters records..

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

I'd love to see some "liboturds" on here answer this post, but they'll only snivel "racist" and "unfair" and "legally" and under the agreement et. etc. etc.

How about you "thebent gent"? or "md" or even "pupa" come on don't be shy make your excuses.... do you think it's right that UK taxpayers should support this human flotsam? And what about France turning a blind eye to the supposed refugees passing through from other countries? I notice "the bentgent" ignored that part of my post, why?

I generally try to make it a point not to engage with the lower end on serious matters not least because they are seldom, if at all, capable of grasping facts that do not accord with their own petty prejudices and dismal perceptions. I don't see why I should alter my policy in this thread and must therefore decline your challenge.

Suffice to say, many folk less advantaged among the indigenous white population of the UK have a tendency to blame those of ethnic stock for their woes when in truth it's generally because of their own shortcomings. Quite sad but an inevitable concomitant to their poor education and limited intelligence and one does have sympathy for their plight which of course can only be exacerbated by the unpalatable fact most asylum seekers have better skills than they and will achieve more.

I do hope this reply doesn't come as too much of a disappointment for you but I'm sure you will understand ( well, possibly).

Originally Posted by thegent

I do hope this reply doesn't come as too much of a disappointment for you but I'm sure you will understand

Of course I understand your reply it's nothing more than I or anyone could expect.

However, I have to respect your inability / unwillingness to answer any direct question that's put to you or any "liboturd" for that matter!

bizarre coincidence that 5 out of these 6 have a birthday on 31 Dcember!

Asylum seekers pretending to be teenagers for faster processing

Anne Wright From: Herald Sun May 16, 2011



IMMIGRATION detainees are pretending to be teens to get their visa applications processed quicker and live in better conditions.

Victoria's biggest youth immigration detention centre in Broadmeadows is filled with many asylum seekers claiming to be under 18 to escape the tougher regulations for adults, an investigation has discovered.

Secret photos obtained by the Herald Sun reveal men with obvious signs of ageing, including crow's-feet, wrinkles around their eyes and receding hairlines.

Experts say the men are more likely to be aged in their 20s.

Several Immigration Department sources have confirmed the con.

Immigration officials lack time and resources to investigate people's ages so they deliver them to youth detention centres with "a wry smile", a whistleblower said.

"There are some massive guys, we're talking about man mountains, in the centre. Sixteen-year-olds just aren't built like that," the source said.

Adult detainees bullied genuine youngsters at the facility, it was revealed.

University of Technology Sydney forensic anatomist Dr Meiya Sutisno said an initial assessment of a selection of the photographs showed men not minors.

"They are not juveniles, definitely not," she said.

Dr Sutisno said the men in photos she had seen were aged between 18 and their late-20s.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said the age scam had become widely known among asylum seekers and the department was unable to prove people's ages.

"They (the department) have no idea how old these people are," he said.

"They just guess."

Sources revealed:

MANY detainees deliberately have no documentation of their age so they can lie about how old they are.

SOME asylum seekers have privately confessed to being more than a decade older than they claimed.

INMATES at the Broadmeadows facility have boasted about escaping at night to get McDonald's.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre coordinator Pamela Curr said many didn't know their ages because it was not in their culture to celebrate birthdays.

"They say what they have been told to say by people smugglers."

Originally Posted by brettandlek

Malaysia will accept 800 asylum seekers who entered Australia illegally by sea in return for Australia settling 4,000 registered refugees living in Malaysia.

Originally Posted by brettandlek

Finally the Aus Goverment have started showing some balls!

Not really, since Australia is still netting an influx of 3,200 refugees with this deal. I'm guessing the key difference is one group is registered (an upfront and honest process, I'm sure) and the other isn't. So what this all boils down to is that the Oz gov't. has contracted out the registration duties to the Malays? Will some portion of the 800 eventually be traded to Australia in the future (after proper 'registration')?

This whole solution for the Gilliard governmempt smacks of desperation and wanting to avaoid upsetting all the so-called do gooders in this society.

The Americans have found part of the answer, deport them back to the country of origin.As far as I'm aware, American border patrols transport the illegal Mexicans back across the border (only a river to prevent another attempt)
The big advantage for Australia would be that for every unsuccessful attempt to come here,it costs each boat person $10000 (supposedly).
Eventually even the desperates will decide financially it's not worthwhile.
or scenario 2,
Set up many many offices in those countries where illegal immigrants are coming from,
make the visa application fee equivalent to $10000, and process their applications in country,
and let be known that " illegal boat people " will be returned without processing.

Originally Posted by backinpd2007

The Americans have found part of the answer, deport them back to the country of origin.As far as I'm aware, American border patrols transport the illegal Mexicans back across the border (only a river to prevent another attempt)
.

Really?

Thats why America has an estimated (2011) 11.2 MILLION ILLEGAL Immigrants... right?

Saw Rudd and Kasit Piromya at a press conference at the Australian Embassy in BKK, on Australian TV last night ....
This is what has appeared in the press today..............

THAILAND could be the third country to provide Julia Gillard part of a solution to her boat people headache.......................................... ..
Thailand has expressed interest in the Gillard Government's looming deal with Malaysia, which would send 800 asylum seekers - who arrived by boat - to Malaysia for processing, in return for Australia accepting 4000 genuine refugees.
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya met with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd to discuss the idea, and he liked what he heard.

looks like money is involved in that official human trafficking

Originally Posted by Khun Custard

Saw Rudd and Kasit Piromya at a press conference at the Australian Embassy in BKK, on Australian TV last night ....
This is what has appeared in the press today..............

THAILAND could be the third country to provide Julia Gillard part of a solution to her boat people headache.......................................... ..
Thailand has expressed interest in the Gillard Government's looming deal with Malaysia, which would send 800 asylum seekers - who arrived by boat - to Malaysia for processing, in return for Australia accepting 4000 genuine refugees.
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya met with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd to discuss the idea, and he liked what he heard.

Differernt race of people and genuine asylum seekers, not people who fake their age or are quite well off before they get on the boat. I am waiting for the 60 minutes story to be put on their website. The story shows a family who were quite well off before they came here but knew they would have a better life here and apparently most are the same. At the end of the day, if they are that hard off, how do they get the 10 large they need?

Some interesting reading about Australia, refugees & asylum seekers.

A systematic rebuttal of the myths about asylum seekers | Article | The Punch

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/b...sylumFacts.pdf

Refugee Council of Australia

Refugee Action Committee, Canberra - Refugee stories

Originally Posted by Carrabow

Really? Thats why America has an estimated (2011) 11.2 MILLION ILLEGAL Immigrants... right?

F*cking hell that may be less that the UK has, if it is how the fuck did they do it?

Originally Posted by Buksida

Australia has a lot of illegal immigrants, if not the majority are Brits. Would be good to see something done about them.

I've corrected the above for you, no need to thank me.

Your ancestors were "Brits" you "aussie prick"...fancy advocatiing getting rid of your own family?

Boat people abandon travel plans after Malaysian deal
Tom Allard in Puncak, West Java, and Phillip Coorey
May 21, 2011

ASYLUM seekers in Indonesia are well aware of the federal government's plan to send boat people to Malaysia and now say they will not attempt the sea crossing to Australia.

The reaction is a boost for the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Labor. They have been hammered in the polls because of a sharp rise in unauthorised arrivals since the relaxation of immigration policies in 2008.

Hundreds of asylum seekers, most from Afghanistan and Iraq, live in Puncak, a mountainous region outside Jakarta. Here, they wait to meet people smugglers or bide their time pending resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

At the villas and crumbling hostels where they reside, the Herald got the same response: everyone knew of the policy change and said they would not be engaging the services of a people smuggler any time soon.

''Yes, back to Malaysia, back to PNG,'' said Muhammad Bagir, an 18-year-old asylum seeker. ''Every time I think of it, I am crying. We just stay here now waiting for the UNHCR. Many years … very difficult life''.

It is understood the government has received intelligence that news of the deal was acting as a deterrent in Indonesia, the departure point for irregular migrants travelling to Australia.

Informed of the Herald's investigation, the Minister for Immigration, Chris Bowen, said it was too early to claim success.

''As we implement the agreement, I expect it will have a very significant effect on the decision by people to come to Australia by boat,'' he said.

Under the policy announced two weeks ago, 800 asylum seekers who arrive by boat will be transferred to Malaysia and sent to the ''back of the queue'' of more than 90,000 refugees waiting there for resettlement.

In exchange, Australia will accept 4000 long-term refugees in Malaysia, likely to be people who have fled persecution in Burma.

Three boats with 107 asylum seekers have made it to Australia in the past fortnight. But, explains a young Afghan, Javid Zanidi, it was unlikely these people would have heard of the change. In the days before taking a boat, asylum seekers are told by smugglers to hand over their mobile phones and kept away from all communications.
Malaysia's indications that it will take only those who arrive in Australia after the deal is ratified may prompt a late rush of vessels. But Malaysian and Australian sources say the deal will be sealed by the end of the month.

Australia has already begun an information campaign. The embassy in Jakarta has issued press releases and the International Organisation for Migration has told asylum seekers of the policy. Also, asylum seekers in Indonesia use internet news sites, blogs and social media.

The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, said yesterday: ''This is a government which makes panicked announcement after panicked announcement. It's very clear deals that exist only in press releases and not in reality are not going to stop the boats.''

Originally Posted by Mr R Sole

Before I start, I am NOT in anyway shape or form a anti-islamic person...but I do like to cause some contraversy when I post...those of you that know me will know this fact...
I think the term shit stirrer is appropriate..

Not much point in reading your dribble then, is there?

To Carrabow,
the point I was trying to make is that while America can only transport the illegals back across the border,, Australia has a wide seperation from the countries of origin of these asylum seekers. From all reports, each boat person is paying $10,000? to be taken to australia.
If you knew that you paid that amount to be transported to australia, only to be taken back, how many times would you attempt it?

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

Originally Posted by Buksida

Australia has a lot of illegal immigrants, the majority are Brits. Would be good to see something done about them.

I've corrected the above for you, no need to thank me.

Your ancestors were "Brits" you "aussie prick"...fancy advocatiing getting rid of your own family?

You don't know shit about my ancestors, Perth is so full of whinging poms that even the other poms complain about it.

Australia is fine without your ignorance, best you focus on your own country mate, as it's going bankrupt.

Our detention network is in chaos: Morrison
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 22/05/2011

Opposition spokesman for immigration Scott Morrison says the Government has rushed into announcing a deal with Malaysia that hasn't been made.

BARRIE CASSIDY, PRESENTER: We'll go now to our program guest, the shadow minister for immigration, Scott Morrison.
Good morning, welcome.

SCOTT MORRISON, OPPOSITION IMMIGRATION SPOKESMAN: Good morning Barrie. Great to be with you.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Is everything okay between Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey?

SCOTT MORRISON: One big bear hug. One big bear hug.
I didn't see Joe Hockey turning his back on Tony Abbott after giving his budget in reply. It's a very happy and strong team.

BARRIE CASSIDY: But why wouldn't Tony Abbott anyway leave him swinging in the breeze over the family trust issue, because there's not a lot of support for it is there?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well I just think the whole thing is a big beat-up Barrie. I mean no-one was privy to that conversation, part of this interview or part of the panel. And I think it's just a big beat-up and there's just simply nothing to see.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Was there a bit of concern when Joe Hockey described the global financial crisis as a hiccup?

SCOTT MORRISON: No. Look I think Joe's doing a very strong job in the treasury portfolio because in the budget of a week or so ago Joe made two very important points. And that is: Australian families and small business are going to be paying for the Government's budget blow-outs.

Now that message has resonated all around the country. And that's Joe's job and I think he's made that point very clearly.

BARRIE CASSIDY: What about Malcolm Turnbull? Is he being helpful on climate change?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well look we've got talent all over our frontbench. And I think between Malcolm and Joe and you know a cast of others, I mean Tony has a very strong team that's working very closely together.

Malcolm is making his contribution in communications, Joe in treasury and the rest of us are seeking to do our jobs as well and effectively.

BARRIE CASSIDY: But he made a contribution on climate change as well. And when he said he didn't want to comment on Tony Abbott's direct action policy but I'm happy to describe it to you, he was really saying: I'll describe it but I won't defend it.

SCOTT MORRISON: Well we all have our own portfolio responsibilities. I mean I don't talk too much outside my portfolio either.

And Malcolm has got a long track record on this issue. Everybody knows that. And he's respected for his views on that amongst those who share his views. And I don't think there's anything extraordinary about that.

I mean Malcolm has been candid and honest about where he sees things and that's certainly consistent with his track record.

BARRIE CASSIDY: So he should work harder at sticking to his own portfolio?

SCOTT MORRISON: Look we all work hard on our own portfolios and holding the Government to account at each of those.

And there's no shortage of things clearly that Malcolm has exposed in the communications area. I mean the set-top box thing is a national joke. It's a national joke and the budget's not even two weeks old.

BARRIE CASSIDY: When he said though that if the Coalition under its direct action plan was to meet modest requirements on emissions reductions, that the policy would cost taxpayers $18 billion a year by mid-century, is that figure accurate?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well let's come back to the carbon tax. The carbon tax is going to cost 14 times per year what our direct action plan is going to cost in terms of the revenue received from the carbon tax.

The policy is focused on achieving our 5 per cent reductions by 2020. Both the Government and the Opposition have policies to meet those. And that's what the debate's about.

The Government wants to have a carbon tax. We disagree and so do the vast majority of Australians.

And more so we think if the Government wants to put in a carbon tax then they must do as John Howard did with the GST and take it to election.
And I notice the vast majority of Queenslanders support that view as well this morning.

BARRIE CASSIDY: So $18 billion a year, if that's what it was, that wouldn't be a remarkably high figure?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well those are figures that are being speculated well beyond the debate we're having today. And they're not the subject of the debate we're having today.

The debate we're having today is should there be a carbon tax. The Coalition says no and the Government says yes.

But more so the Government said there wouldn't be one before the last election and now she wants to put one in. And that is the issue before the Government today and it's about political integrity.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Okay we'll go back to your portfolio now. And if you were seeking asylum why would you now take a dangerous boat ride just to end up at the back of a queue in Malaysia?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well the situation at the moment Barrie is not that at all because there's no-one who'll be going to Malaysia until any agreement is finalised. Now that was made clear by the Malaysian minister and it's been made clear by our minister himself when he announced the package.

So the suggestion that anyone who arrives at the moment before any deal is concluded is going to Malaysia is plainly false.

BARRIE CASSIDY: But we know they will end up somewhere in a third country. They're making that perfectly clear. So why would people...

SCOTT MORRISON: Well how do we know that?

BARRIE CASSIDY: They've said that.

SCOTT MORRISON: There's no deal with PNG, there's no deal with East Timor, there's no deal with Thailand. There's not even a deal with Malaysia.

They have no deal with anybody at the moment. So I don't know how the minister can be so bold in that presumption unless he's going to take up our plan for Nauru who I know will take them because I spoke to them this week?

BARRIE CASSIDY: So you're saying you don't believe that they'll ever do a deal with Malaysia when the likelihood is they will stitch it up in a week or two?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well we don't know Barrie. And that's the point. The Government has rushed out and made this announcement and the details are still unclear.

I mean has the minister made a declaration that Malaysia is a specified country under section 198a of the Migration Act? Now that's what he has to do to do that.

Now in order to do that he has to satisfy that people who go to Malaysia will have protection until their cases are assessed and if they're refugees they're looked after.

Now I look forward to his explanation as to how those conditions will be satisfied.

BARRIE CASSIDY: But even so, even the prospect of this happening is having an impact already anecdotally.

The Sydney Morning Herald, they spoke to asylum seekers in Indonesia and everybody they spoke to said the same thing. They know of the policy and they won't now attempt the crossing.

SCOTT MORRISON: Well look history will judge this measure Barrie. But what also it will judge is the mess we've had over the last three years.

Now today as you know I've called for an inquiry into the immigration detention network for the simple reason that we have a critical incidence occurring on an average of more than three times a day.

We've got a record population in our detention. The number of processing times has tripled. And all of this has created havoc and riots and chaos.

Now that is the sheer result of this Government refusing to acknowledge their culpability in their border protection failures for the last three years.

So the mess is there for everyone to see and it's time for us to take a good look at it.

BARRIE CASSIDY: But surely you don't expect the Greens to support that? They will see it, won't they, as you just looking for more headlines?

SCOTT MORRISON: Why would the Greens oppose an inquiry that looks into things like the compliance with the immigration detention values of this Government or how people are treated in detention?

Now I've forwarded the terms of reference to the Greens and the independents and I look forward to having a constructive discussion with them this week because our detention network is in complete chaos.

And people are suffering as a result and the budget's suffering. I mean a $1.75 billion blow-out alone on asylum seeker costs in one year shows that this is completely out of control.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Okay I want to take you back again to what those asylum seekers have told the Sydney Morning Herald - that they know of the policy and they won't now attempt the crossing. That surely has to be a good thing?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well we all want to see the boats stopped Barrie. I mean the Government has been dragged kicking and screaming to this point...

BARRIE CASSIDY: And doesn't this indicate they might be on the right track?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well we'll wait and see Barrie. I mean history will judge that. I mean it's been two weeks.

I mean the Coalition had six years of virtually no boats arriving and people still claim that our policies still didn't work.

But anyway look we'll see what happens. But the point about this issue is the Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming.

I mean the Coalition has been on the Government's case about this for years and finally they've admitted that it's their policies that caused this chaos and caused the boats to come to Australia.

So if these policies work we'll see. But let's not forget they're the ones who started the boats.

BARRIE CASSIDY: But you say we'll see. I mean if you genuinely want to stop...

SCOTT MORRISON: And we will.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Yeah and you want to stop the boats and you read that sort of thing, that's evidence on the ground, not politicians talking, then you'd be quite pleased with that outcome.

SCOTT MORRISON: Well we'll see Barrie, that's my point. We'll wait and see.

We want to see the boats stop. And if the boats stop no-one will be happier than I because that's what I've been campaigning for.

But it doesn't remove the chaos that is occurring in our detention system and the legacy of this Government's failed policies.

It's taken them three years to get to this point and that is an absolute disgrace.

BARRIE CASSIDY: And what you've also been campaigning for is a very similar policy to what the Government has come up with with the Malaysian solution. Because you did say in a speech in November you advocated taking more refugees out of the camps in return for those who tried to enter illegally. That's the Malaysian solution.

SCOTT MORRISON: No it's not. The Malaysian solution is a five-for-one swap Barrie. I advocated a one-for-one swap in that speech.

And I don't have an issue with the swap but the swap has to be on Australia's terms and in Australia's interests.

And I think this has been a very poorly negotiated deal and a very desperate deal by this Government. And the fact that they rushed it out before they'd actually concluded it I think was very reckless and has sent a confusing message into the region because as I said before, no-one who turns up before this agreement is concluded - and we don't know how long that will be - will be going to Malaysia.

BARRIE CASSIDY: So your problem is with the numbers. But Australians haven't got problems with taking refugees. What's behind this ...

SCOTT MORRISON: No, neither do I.

BARRIE CASSIDY: No you want to stop the boats.

SCOTT MORRISON: Yes.

BARRIE CASSIDY: So why then are suddenly the numbers the concern?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well we think a five-for-one swap Barrie where the Australian Government pays for everything is not a good deal for Australia.

I mean our view is it should have been a one-for-one. And apparently that was the Government's view when they first started these negotiations and because of their desperately weak position they got cranked up for five-for-one.

Now I think that just shows...

BARRIE CASSIDY: But there's nothing in it for Malaysia. A one for one - there's nothing in that for Malaysia. You have to offer Malaysia something to get them to sign up.

SCOTT MORRISON: Well I disagree. Well I disagree that there's nothing in that for Malaysia because taking genuine refugees out of Malaysia into Australia is something we've done for many years.

I mean 340 were taken out of Malaysia last year in 2009/10. There was only a total of 1,059 applications out of Malaysia. So we're now going to be taking more out of Malaysia than there even were applications.

Now I don't have a problem necessarily with that but that can be done within the existing quota.

There was nothing stopping us taking more refugees out of Malaysia prior to this agreement - nothing stopping us at all. It could be done within the existing framework.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Now even before this, so the number of boat people arriving in Australia in the first quarter of this year is half that of the same quarter of last year. Now is that a good result to be welcomed?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well it's double the amount that occurred in the last six years of the Coalition government.

And we had a very bad summer of weather Barrie. And I don't think we should be claiming the weather as a policy deterrent.

BARRIE CASSIDY: So do you think that's what impacted on the quarter by quarter comparison was the weather?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well I think particularly over the summer that we do know the weather was quite difficult this year. And sadly we know that the tragic incident of last December was during that period of time.

And equally there was that other vessel which we now don't know what happened to it, the 91 people who left in November and we don't know where that boat is now. That's another 91 souls we fear have perished.

And at the end of the day that's what this issue is fundamentally about; so that no-one will be happier than me if the boats stop and Tony Abbott.

But we still have to ensure we have an ongoing border protection mechanism and a detention network that isn't in the rolling crisis that we have today.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Okay we've got an item coming up now on plain paper packaging on cigarettes. Are you going to back the cigarette companies in the fight against the Government on this policy?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well again that's a matter for Tony and for Peter Dutton and I'm happy for them to put the Coalition's position on this Barrie.

BARRIE CASSIDY: And what's your view on it?

SCOTT MORRISON: Oh well I'll be supporting the Coalition's position on it.
Okay and is the Liberal Party going to continue to take donations from the cigarette companies?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well these are legal companies and unless the Government is making these companies illegal then it's a free country Barrie.

BARRIE CASSIDY: So the Labor Party were mugs to reject this money?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well political parties make their own decisions. But there are companies all around the country who want to make donations. That's their democratic right in a free country like Australia.

BARRIE CASSIDY: Thanks for your time this morning, appreciate it.

SCOTT MORRISON: Thanks very much Barrie. Good to be with you.

xxx.xxx.xx

Originally Posted by Mid

SCOTT MORRISON: There's no deal with PNG, there's no deal with East Timor, there's no deal with Thailand. There's not even a deal with Malaysia.

East Timor too small for an asylum centre
Sun, 22 May 2011

A representative from the East Timorese Government says his country is too small to accommodate a regional processing centre for Asylum Seekers.

Timor's Vice Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto Carlos made the comments while celebrating the ninth anniversary of East Timor's independence at a ceremony in Australia's northern city, Darwin yesterday.

The Australian Government had wanted to set up a regional processing centre in East Timor, but it's now abandoned those plans.

Mr Carlos says he's glad Australia will be sending them elsewhere.

He says, "Timor Leste's very small, just newly independent. Yesterday we celebrate our ninth anniversary. We maybe can contribute in other terms."

radioaustralianews.net.au

No you are not the only country who bends over, we are a close second.

The worst part is that they are "real" refugees.
They are worse off than Thailand, but for that example, How many people in Thailand could come up with 10 grand per head to escape?
I think not many.

Australia intercepts first boatload of asylum seekers to be sent to M’sia
Sunday July 31

MELBOURNE: A boat with 54 asylum seekers was intercepted northwest of Australia and they will be the first to be sent to Malaysia under Australia's swap deal.

HMAS Ararat intercepted the boat north-west of Scott Reef in the Timor Sea on Sunday morning, the government said in a statement.

Aside from the 54 asylum seekers, there were two crew on board. The nationality of the asylum seekers was undisclosed.

Malaysia is set to accept 800 asylum seekers in exchange for Australia taking 4,000 bona fide refugees over four years after the two governments signed the deal on Monday.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the asylum seekers would be taken to Christmas Island initially before they were flown to Malaysia three days later.

"We will begin our pre-transfer arrangements which involves assessing the vulnerability of people and assessing people to fly. Then we begin the process of transferring people to Malaysia," he told Sky News.

thestar.com.my

Govt softens stand on boat people returning from Malaysia
ROSS PEAKE
01 Aug, 2011

The Gillard Government is refusing to rule out sending unaccompanied children to Malaysia if they are found on the first boat of asylum-seekers to arrive since the people swap was signed.It has also been revealed that the new arrivals would not be sent to Malaysia within three days as promised by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

However the Government appeared to soften its attitude to boat people being allowed to return to Australia after their claims for refugee status were assessed in Malaysia. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said anyone sent to Malaysia who made a compelling case for refugee status could be resettled in Australia.

It would depend on the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, making the assessment. Ms Gillard said last week the 800 asylum-seekers to be sent to Malaysia would not be part of the 4000 processed asylum-seekers to be accepted by Australia from Malaysia.

They will take their place alongside these 90,000 asylum-seekers [in Malaysia] and they will wait their turn, she said.

The latest boat was intercepted north-west of Scott Reef yesterday after being spotted by a Customs aircraft. Officials said it appeared the boat contained 54 passengers and two crew.

Mr Bowen said they would not be sent to Malaysia within 72 hours, as Ms Gillard said would occur under the transfer agreement.

It will take some time for that to be fully operational, for that three days to be operational, Mr Bowen said.

He said up to 90 per cent of asylum-seekers arriving by boat in Australia had travelled through Malaysia to Indonesia.

This [deal] is a very clear message were going to take you back to where you started that boat journey.

Mr Bowen said Australia would not offer blanket exemptions for asylum-seekers. But we will have a pre-assessment in place which means we will look at each individual and assess whether its the appropriate thing to transfer them to Malaysia, he said.

He repeated that police would use force if necessary to put asylum-seekers on the charter aircraft to Malaysia.

canberratimes.com.au

Originally Posted by Mid

Govt softens stand on boat people returning from Malaysia
ROSS PEAKE
01 Aug, 2011

The Gillard Government is refusing to rule out sending unaccompanied children to Malaysia if they are found on the first boat of asylum-seekers to arrive since the people swap was signed.It has also been revealed that the new arrivals would not be sent to Malaysia within three days as promised by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

However the Government appeared to soften its attitude to boat people being allowed to return to Australia after their claims for refugee status were assessed in Malaysia. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said anyone sent to Malaysia who made a compelling case for refugee status could be resettled in Australia.

It would depend on the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, making the assessment. Ms Gillard said last week the 800 asylum-seekers to be sent to Malaysia would not be part of the 4000 processed asylum-seekers to be accepted by Australia from Malaysia.

They will take their place alongside these 90,000 asylum-seekers [in Malaysia] and they will wait their turn, she said.

The latest boat was intercepted north-west of Scott Reef yesterday after being spotted by a Customs aircraft. Officials said it appeared the boat contained 54 passengers and two crew.

Mr Bowen said they would not be sent to Malaysia within 72 hours, as Ms Gillard said would occur under the transfer agreement.

It will take some time for that to be fully operational, for that three days to be operational, Mr Bowen said.

He said up to 90 per cent of asylum-seekers arriving by boat in Australia had travelled through Malaysia to Indonesia.

This [deal] is a very clear message were going to take you back to where you started that boat journey.

Mr Bowen said Australia would not offer blanket exemptions for asylum-seekers. But we will have a pre-assessment in place which means we will look at each individual and assess whether its the appropriate thing to transfer them to Malaysia, he said.

He repeated that police would use force if necessary to put asylum-seekers on the charter aircraft to Malaysia.

canberratimes.com.au

Well we shall see what happens.