ABC Radio National
Australia moves to tighten refugee access.
The Australian government is setting up a new detention centre for illegal
immigrants. Almost 700 illegal immigrants have arrived in Australian waters
since the start of the month, and existing holding centres are overflowing.
The new centre will be at the remote town of Woomera in the far north of
South Australia and will be capable of housing around 400 people.
Australia's Acting Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone is also calling on
the opposition Labor Party to endorse changes to tighten up the visa system
for refugees.
Canberra breaches treaty obligations, says refugee lawyer.
Matthew Beckman is coordinator of the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre
in Melbourne. He points out that very few illegal immigrants are recognised
as legitimate refugees and allowed to stay in Australia. He argues that
genuine refugees often have no choice but to pay people smugglers to escape
persecution. Mr Beckman told Peter Mares Australia breaches its
international treaty obligations by discriminating between refugees who
arrive illegally and those who enter Australia on legitimate visas.
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