Bishop at odds on ‘ swap’ deal
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has denied the refugee resettlement deal with the United States is part of a “people swap”.
Speaking in Washington after meeting US VicePresident Mike Pence, Ms Bishop categorically denied the assertion, putting her at odds with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.
“That’s not the way I would categorise it. Australia is a very generous nation when it comes to resettling those who are found to be refugees from all over the world. We’ll continue to do so.
“We are seeking to resettle a number of people who came via the people- smuggling trade and have been in Nauru in particular with the United States. But we will continue to take refugees from across the world, as we’ve always done.”
But on Tuesday night, Mr Dutton said he did not have a problem if people wanted to categorise it as a people swap deal.
“It was beneficial to the US, and it was beneficial to us,” Mr Dutton said.
The Minister’s visit follows soon after the controversy about the now infamous “worst call” between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Ms Bishop used her meeting to invite Mr Pence to Australia — and to discuss the strategic challenges facing both countries.
“We have a very close defence and military strategic relationship with the US and the administration has been expressing its appreciation for the role Australia plays,” she said.
Asked about Australia’s commitment to the TransPacific Partnerhsip ( TPP), Ms Bishop said that Australia was “very keen to maintain the principles and the spirit of the TPP both economically and strategically”.
Mr Trump walked away from the ambitious 12- nation trade deal brokered by the Obama administration last month. He declared an end to the era of multinational trade agreements that had defined global economics for decades.