The Gillard Government has announced that it intends to propose at the Labor Party’s national conference this weekend an increase of almost 50% in Australia’s intake of refugees, from 13,750 to 20,000. No timeline has been put on this initiative.
Last month, Labor was forced by the Opposition to abandon its plans to allow offshore processing of asylum seekers in Malaysia, as it could not guarantee the legislation’s passage through parliament.
Linking his fresh approach to refugee numbers with the government’s failed Malaysia solution Mr Bowen said an important condition of the implementation of the increased numbers policy would be reinstating offshore processing of refugee claims under a regional agreement.
“Just increasing your refugee intake is not a deterrent to getting on a boat to come to Australia, but if it is part of a broader mix, which included offshore processing, that would be important,” he said.
A desperate attempt at spin-doctoring a failed strategy, or a genuine instance of strategic policy development following long-held principles? Only time will tell.
Regardless, one thing is certain; the asylum seeker issue has become one of the most significant and divisive matters facing the Gillard Government to date, It must be handled sensitively, strategically and with political nous from here on in, as any further bungling of this crucial public policy issue could spell disaster for the Government’s aspirations of being returned at the next election.
If you have any questions about Australian visas or immigration policy, McGrath Migration Lawyers can help. McGrath Migration Lawyers is Australia’s longest established immigration law firm and has made migration easier for thousands of of corporate and individual clients since 1983.
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2 Responses to “Bowen to lift refugee numbers by 50%”
Comment by John Ralph — November 30, 2011 @ 11:54 pm
You seem to forget that 80-90% of Australians do not want these boat people, under any conditions, under any Government , regardless of any so called refugee agreements. This is a complete national disgrace. Lets get the facts straight: 1. Gillard is using taxpayers funds to subsidise the corrupt practice of people smuggling by providing a fully paid end destination. 2. It encourages the very practices in the countries from where these so called asylum seekers have fled by providing an easy out for the perpetrators. It only increases the problem for those left behind. 3. 80-90% of Australians do not want these people. Gillard, Bowan and the ALP are promoting racism and division in Australia. 4. You will never make the slightest impact on social and political issues caused by overpopulation by adopting the Gillard open door policy. Australia is not the dumping ground for other countries problems. 5. Australia is already demonstration racial ghettos so wake up to reality and not perception. Wake up Australia otherwise we will end up like the UK.
Comment by insizer — December 1, 2011 @ 3:21 pm
oh GOD how much genius politicians labor party have !they have no interest in General skilled migration and making it more harder even impossible to qualify ,capped and ceased valid applicants ,delaying others for lifetime or in other words harassing people after years of waiting .but the right and easier way is shut down the gsm ,and let peoples release to search for a genuine processing authority of another country to whom their clients are more valuer-able then cheap politicians and diac should be completely focus on assylum seekers