An Australian report, ordered by the government, concluded that it was necessary to introduce disincentives for those seeking asylum in Australia, Canberra should introduce off-shore processing, but increase the overall intake of refugees to 20,000.
See here for report by The Times.
It recommended that that government pass urgent legislation allowing asylum seekers to be processed on Nauru or Manbus island, belonging to Papua New Guinea.
Extract from the report:
“Over time, a comprehensive regional framework will reduce the lure of irregular maritime migration, but until then the panel believes Australia needs to include the prospect of processing options outside of Australia.”
“To support this, it is the panel’s view that the Australian Parliament should agree, as a matter of urgency, to legislation that will allow for the processing of irregular maritime arrivals in locations outside Australia.”
The report was ordered by the Australian government and headed by the former defence chief and air chief marshall, Angus Houston.
The panel said that the previously negated 'Malaysian solution' showed promise. However, required further safeguards and accountability measures. The panel also recommended that the government increase the annual intake of asylum seekers to 20,000 from the current figure of 13,750, and upto 27,000 within the next five years.
“If you are proceeding towards a vision of a regional system, the Malaysian arrangement provides perhaps the best platform to move into the future," said Houston.
Commenting on the reports conclusions, Houston said,
“Like all Australians, we are deeply concerned about this tragic loss of life at sea. To do nothing is unacceptable.”
“Onshore processing encourages people to jump on a boat."
Tamils risk death to seek asylum by boat - Australian NGO (16 Jul 2012)
