Share on Facebook Share on twitter by Andrew Tillett A former Home Affairs Department bureaucrat says asylum seekers languishing on Manus Island and Nauru can be resettled in Australia without restarting the people smuggling trade because of the navy's effectiveness at turning back boats.As the Morrison government comes under increasing pressure to back down and let refugee children and their families come to Australia or approve a deal to resettle them in New Zealand, retired public servant Shaun Hanns has written to MPs saying efforts to "stop the boats" relies solely on turnbacks with offshore detention losing its deterrent effect."This makes the continuing detention of those on Manus and Nauru not just tragic but meaningless," Mr Hanns says in a 10 page letter to MPs."At this point in time, any further deaths of either children or adults on the island is completely unnecessary and preventable. Further deaths are also likely." Analysing publicly released … [Read more...] about Boat turnbacks, not offshore detention deters asylum seekers, ex bureaucrat says
Asylum seekers in new zealand
Scott ‘Stop the boats’ Morrison: New Australian PM is known for his controversial policy on asylum-seekers
Sydney: Evangelical Christian Scott Morrison, who emerged as prime minister after a bun fight in Australia's ruling party on Friday, is an ambitious man who has always dreamed of the top job. Behind the scenes of a battle for the leadership of the Liberal party that erupted this week between ousted Malcolm Turnbull and right-wing former policeman Peter Dutton, Morrison was quietly canvassing support among his colleagues. File photo of new Australian prime minister Scott Morrison. AFP The hard-line former immigration minister, who took credit for "stop the boats" — a harsh policy to prevent asylum-seekers from entering Australia at its seaports — billed himself as a man of faith and family who could get things done. The 50-year-old's stealth candidacy reflected aspirations he has had since he entered parliament in 2007, representing the Sydney seat of Cook which is the site of Australia's last race riots. The son of a policeman, Morrison, known as "ScoMo", becomes … [Read more...] about Scott ‘Stop the boats’ Morrison: New Australian PM is known for his controversial policy on asylum-seekers
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern repeats offer to resettle refugees held by Australia
PHNOM PENH – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern again offered Thursday to resettle 150 asylum seekers sent by Australia to offshore camps including one in Nauru, a Pacific island nation where leaders from both countries are set to meet next month.Australia declined New Zealand’s offer last November to take asylum seekers sent to Australian-run detention centers in Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, because the country was negotiating with the United States to accept 1,250 migrants.About 250 people have left for the United States under an agreement made by the administration of former President Barack Obama, which President Donald Trump has called a “dumb deal.”“New Zealand has reiterated our existing offer to Australia to take 150 refugees from Nauru and Manus Island,” Ardern’s office wrote in emailed comments.“We remain ready and willing to help.”The offer comes as Australia and New Zealand’s prime … [Read more...] about New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern repeats offer to resettle refugees held by Australia
John Howard says New Zealand election result ‘disappointing, unjust and unfair’
Last year’s New Zealand election result was “disappointing, unjust and unfair”, John Howard has said as he opened the NZ National party conference, drawing a stinging rebuke from the acting prime minister, Winston Peters. Labour’s Jacinda Ardern became prime minister in October after the election produced no clear winner. National won more seats than Labour, but Winston Peters of New Zealand First threw his support behind Ardern, who was able to form a coalition government with the added support of the Green party. Peters has been acting prime minister while Ardern is on maternity leave, The former Australian prime minister was in New Zealand for National’s first conference since it elected Simon Bridges as leader in succession to Bill English, who retired in February. Howard revealed that after the election he had sent a hand-written note to English offering his condolences. “I said ‘Dear Bill … there is no justice in politics,’ … [Read more...] about John Howard says New Zealand election result ‘disappointing, unjust and unfair’
Asylum seekers unlawfully held in removal centres for months despite courts ruling they can be released, lawyers warn
The Home Office is unlawfully holding asylum seekers in immigration detention despite courts ruling they can be released, lawyers have warned. Immigrants are being left to “languish” in removal centres for months on end after being granted bail because the Home Office is refusing to fulfil its duty to provide asylum accommodation, claiming emergency housing is “not dissimilar” to detention. The government has a duty to provide housing for asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers who are released from detention and would otherwise be “destitute”. Read more High Court victory for detainees abused by G4S staff Use of force against immigration detainees more than doubles in a year Yarl’s Wood: Inside the crisis-hit immigration detention centre But The Independent has been made aware of cases where immigrants with the right to be in the UK are denied housing, meaning they cannot be released. In other cases vulnerable asylum … [Read more...] about Asylum seekers unlawfully held in removal centres for months despite courts ruling they can be released, lawyers warn