Labor's failed border protection policy
28-July-2010
Written by - Senator Nigel Scullion
In August 2008 the Rudd Labor Government began to unravel the Coalition’s strong border protection measures. They abolished temporary protection visas, struck an unprecedented deal with Sri Lankan asylum seekers aboard the Australian patrol boat Oceanic Viking, which traded away our national security, and once Christmas Island filled up began bringing asylum seekers to the mainland before their claims had been determined.
The government's changes have enhanced the product offered by people smugglers because asylum seekers are guaranteed a permanent migration outcome, and in many cases are being brought directly to Australia.
The failed policy has blown a $1 billion hole in the nation’s immigration budget, and put pressure on Australia’s worsening accommodation crisis as people are transferred to hotels and caravan parks instead of proper facilities.
In the Northern Territory, demountables that were supposed to be used for contract workers have been converted to asylum seeker accommodation, and a brand new art room at Anula Primary School has been converted to three emergency classrooms for 29 school-aged asylum seekers.
At least 150 people have died attempting the journey by boat to Australia since August 2008. People smuggling is an inhumane business that puts people’s lives at risk. Furthermore, every place provided to a person who has arrived illegally by boat is a place denied to another person in potentially greater need, seeking to come to Australia by legal means.
It’s obvious the Government does not have a plan to ensure our refugee program gets back on track. After making East Timor the centrepiece of her ‘new’ border protection policy, Prime Minister Gillard was forced into an embarrassing back down when our neighbours unanimously voted the idea down in Parliament. It’s yet another example of a policy written on the run without proper consultation, and it’s a particularly frightening trend when it comes to matters of national security.
This problem is not going to go away. More and more resources will be needed to fix the Government’s policy failure, and more and more people will risk their lives and the lives of our Defence personnel at sea.
The Coalition has demonstrated in Government the resolve, policy and commitment required to stop the boats. These policies save lives and protect the fairness and integrity of our immigration program. If elected, we will do it again by:
• Turning back the boats
• Maintaining our offshore processing system
• Restoring temporary protection visas
• Requiring work for benefits
• Restoring the 45 day rule for lodging applications
