US one-off deal for asylum seekers
"The agreement is with the United States. It is a oneoff agreement." Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
AUSTRALIA: Refugees languishing on Manus Island and Nauru will be offered resettlement in the United States under a ‘‘one-off’’ arrangement announced by the Turnbull government.
The long-awaited breakthrough will see the 1800 detainees encouraged to return home, seek resettlement in the US or face life in the Nauruan community indefinitely.
‘‘I can now confirm that the government has reached a further third country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centres,’’ Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said yesterday. ‘‘The agreement is with the United States. It is a one-off agreement. It will not be repeated. It is only available to those currently in the regional processing centres. It will not be available to any persons who seek to reach Australia in the future.’’
Turnbull said women, children and families on Nauru would be the priority in a process ‘‘that will take time’’. The largely single male population of the Manus Island centre will come second. But the Prime Minister was tight-lipped about how many people the US had agreed to take. Asked about concerns President-elect Donald Trump would cancel the arrangement given his anti-immigration election statements, Turnbull said ‘‘we deal with one administration at a time’’.
‘‘We have a very long history of co-operation with the United States,’’ he said. He dodged questions over whether he discussed the deal with Trump - who takes office on January 20 - during a phone call last week.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton also confirmed refugees who decline to resettle or repatriate will get be offered a 20-year visa for Nauru. This will also be extended to any new boat arrivals.
US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed the deal in a press conference in Wellington yesterday.
‘‘We in the United States have agreed to consider referrals from UNHCR on refugees now residing in Nauru and in Papua New Guinea.’’
The US, whose involvement in the plan has long been suspected, is committed to finding a ‘‘durable solution’’ for the refugees who sought to reach Australia by boat but have been told they will never settle here, he said.
The government has been quick to highlight the strength of Australia’s border policies to discourage people smugglers and asylum seekers in the wake of the announcement. ‘‘The 20-year visa arrangement will also apply to new arrivals and let that be a very clear message to all people that you will not step foot on Australian soil and we repeat that message again today,’’ Dutton said. - Fairfax/aap