In an attempt to stop asylum-seekers from undertaking a perilous journey to Australia by boat, the Australian government has devised a new policy, said David Holly, Australian Consul-General for South India here on Thursday. Effective October 13, irregular maritime arrivals (IMAs) would be immediately be taken to the neighbouring island nation of Nauru for processing of their claims, he said.
Holly said that the Australian Government was deeply concerned about the threat to human life that the journey poses. “We want to discourage people from Lanka and other countries from believing the hollow promises of people smugglers and undertaking the dangerous voyage. There is no advantage at all of coming to Australia by boat,” he said.
Under the new policy, IMAs are liable for transfer to Nauru where they would have to live in tents and in communal arrangements. Those transferred will not have any means of income, and there is no guarantee that they will ever get to Australia. Stating that the government was worried about the increase in IMAs, Chris Water, Counsellor (customs and border protection) said, “The number of people who arrive by boat has more than doubled. Last year we had around 4,500 arrivals; this year, we already have more than 10,000 refugees arrived in 158 boats.” Minister-Counsellor and regional director (South Asia) José Alvarez said, “There will be no priority processing for them. Even if their asylum is granted, they cannot sponsor their families under any special category, so it may be years before they can bring their families to Australia.”
Alvarez said 46 Sri Lankans voluntarily returned home from Australia. “We have transferred around 125 people to Nauru and they are being accommodated there while awaiting their clearance. If they do not meet requirements, they will involuntarily be flown back to their home country.”
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