Senator Andrew Bartlett
Monday, June 20, 2005
 
Easy Test for the PM's Promises
According to refugee advocates DIMIA settlement services have chartered a plane to transport a group of Vietnamese Refugees from Christmas Island to Perth either tonight or tomorrow. They will leave behind thirteen others, including three children.



Also left behind will be recently married Ngoc Ung Phan – her husband is one of those who will board the plane, because he is one of the 27 who have been granted refugee status. Thirteen others are already on mainland Australia on TPVs.

All fifty three Vietnamese asylum seekers who arrive in mid 2003 fled Communist Vietnam because they were under threat for believing in democracy. As I said after visiting the detainees on the island in December last year the fact that some have already been released while others have had their initial claims refused, highlights an anomaly in the system and creates additional distress for those left behind. Especially because they were all involved in the same activity and many of them are linked in a family sense.

Because all the Vietnamese have a similar claim it is almost certain that the thirteen remaining asylum seekers who have not yet received protection will eventually end up recognised as refugees as all their counterparts have been.

This is an excellent opportunity for the Minister to use her discretionary powers – powers she has always had – to save further suffering (and wastage of taxpayer's dollars). With a sweep of the pen or a simple phone call she could ensure that all the Christmas Island detainees board the plane for Australia. She could – but will she?

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Monday, June 20, 2005 Permalink
|


<< Home