Australia to send asylum seekers to Malaysia

The Australian Prime Minister announced a landmark new measure as part of a Regional Cooperation Framework that will help put people smugglers out of business and prevent asylum seekers making the dangerous journey to Australia by boat.

The Australian and Malaysian Prime Ministers issued a joint statement on May 7 that outlined a groundbreaking cooperative transfer arrangement, that will mean any person who arrives irregularly by sea in Australia could be transferred to Malaysia.

The key message this will deliver to people smugglers and those seeking to make the dangerous sea voyage to Australia is: do not get on that boat.

Under this arrangement, if you arrive in Australian waters and are taken to Malaysia you will go to the back of the queue.

The Australian government believes that the only way to respond to what is a regional problem is to develop regional solutions.

"That is why we worked closely with our neighbours including Sri Lanka to deliver an agreement for a Regional Cooperation Framework through the recent Bali Process Ministerial Conference, attended by Sri Lanka's Justice Minister."

As part of this framework, the Australian government is also engaged in ongoing talks with Papua New Guinea about the establishment of a refugee assessment centre.