Australia introduces new measures to deter boat arrivals
Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen announced
changes to the Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP), removing family
reunion concessions for boat arrivals to further discourage people from
risking their lives at sea.
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Chris Bowen |
Bowen said the Australian government had accepted in-principle the
recommendations of the expert panel on asylum seekers, which included
barring family members of people arriving by boat after August 13, 2012
from proposing family members under the humanitarian programme. "These
changes will remove the incentive for people to travel to Australia by
boat with the intention of bringing out their families on humanitarian
visas," Bowen said.
"We don't want people risking their lives at sea on dangerous boat
journeys and together with the implementation of all the other panel
recommendations this measure provides clear evidence of the government's
determination to break the people smugglers' business model."
For those who arrived by boat before August 13, 2012, the changes
mean applicants proposed by refugees in Australia will now need to meet
all the criteria to be granted an SHP visa.
"Until now, the offshore spouse, dependent children and, in some
cases, parents of refugees in Australia could be granted an SHP visa
solely on the basis of that relationship, regardless of whether they
were in humanitarian need themselves," Bowen said.
"This created a situation where, for example, the head of a family
would arrive in Australia alone, apply for asylum and then seek to bring
out several members of his family as humanitarian migrants. Decisions on
the applications made by family of adult boat arrivals who arrived prior
to August 13, 2012 will now take into account any discrimination or
persecution they face in their home country, as well as their connection
to Australia, their protection options elsewhere, and Australia's
capacity to help. Their applications will also be given lowest
processing priority," he said. "These changes will also ensure highest
priority is given to the applications of family of people who were
granted refugee and humanitarian visas overseas and migrated to
Australia in a safer and orderly manner."
In accordance with the expert panel's recommendation, applicants
proposed by unaccompanied minor refugees who arrived before August 13,
2012 will still be eligible for SHP visas on the strength of their
family relationship alone.
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