PA/28/10 9 April 2010
Changes to Australia's Immigration Processing System
Joint Media Release
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Home Affairs, Hon Brendan O’Connor MP
Effective immediately, the Australian Government has today introduced a suspension of the processing of new asylum applications from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
This suspension has been made as a result of the evolving circumstances in these two countries.
The combined effect of this suspension and the changing circumstances in these two countries will mean that it is likely that, in the future, more asylum claims from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be refused.
The situations in both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are evolving.
Sri Lanka is a country in transition after two decades of conflict, with hopes for further improvement and stabilisation in conditions.
The situation in Afghanistan is also evolving, including with respect to Afghan Hazaras. The Taliban’s fall, durable security in parts of the country, and constitutional and legal reform to protect minorities’ rights have improved the circumstances of Afghanistan's minorities, including Afghan Hazaras.
The UNHCR is reviewing country conditions in both these countries and related guidelines for refugee status determination.
Given these developments, the Australian Government has suspended the processing of new asylum claims by Sri Lankan nationals for a period of three months and the processing of new asylum claims by Afghan nationals for a period of six months.
These suspensions will be reviewed at the end of their respective periods.
Asylum seekers currently on Christmas Island will continue to have their claims processed and will not be subject to the suspension.
The Australian Government will take into consideration the outcomes of the UNHCR's review of country situations in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the finalisation of information provided to decision-makers responsible for refugee status determinations.
The Australian Government believes that asylum seekers should only be granted the right to live in Australia if they are genuinely in need of protection.
These measures will ensure that Australia's refugee processing system continues to recognise those genuinely in need of our protection.
Irregular maritime arrivals claiming asylum will continue to be subject to mandatory detention, including those subject to the suspension.
The Government is also strengthening a range of law enforcement measures targeting people smugglers.
The Australian Government will crack down on people smuggling by introducing measures to stop the flow of funds and support to people smuggling ventures.
Tough new powers will result in the de-registration of remittance dealers that facilitate access to funds for people smuggling ventures and other unlawful activities including money laundering.
A stronger regulatory regime for remittance dealers will ensure law enforcement agencies receive better financial intelligence, to enable disruption and deterrence of people smuggling.
A Criminal Intelligence Fusion Centre will be established within the Australian Crime Commission to detect and prevent organised crime, including operations set up to finance people smuggling into Australia.
The Government will invest $14.5 million over four years in the Centre which will integrate financial data and criminal intelligence across relevant agencies.
The Government will also seek to expedite the passage of legislation that will significantly strengthen Australia's laws against people smuggling.
The Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill includes additional offences targeting those who finance or provide support for people smuggling activities as well as stronger penalties that recognise the seriousness of people smuggling offences.
Combined, these measures will make it tougher for people smugglers to ply their trade and bring additional rigour to the processing of claims for protection.
These changes reinforce the Government's strong approach to border security and ensure that its humane approach to asylum seekers delivers for those genuinely in need of Australia's protection, consistent with the Refugees Convention.
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