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https://theconversation.com/our-cruel-and-costly-offshore-processing-system-was-a-failure-we-have-a-better-solution-on-asylum-policy-210378>
"It has been over a decade since Australia revived its offshore processing
regime for asylum seekers, yet revelations of the policy’s human and financial
failures keep coming.
Last weekend, the
Nine newspapers reported that the Department of Home
Affairs allegedly oversaw the payments of millions of taxpayer dollars to
politicians in the Pacific through a chain of suspect contracts.
The
Guardian also revealed that the Morrison government had signed a
“confidential bilateral agreement” with Papua New Guinea, which promised an
undisclosed amount of money in return for welfare and support services for
fewer than 80 refugees who remained trapped there.
In the wake of these reports, the Greens have reiterated their call for a royal
commission into offshore processing, supported by independent MP Zali Steggall.
These latest reports add to the large amount of research laying bare the human
toll of offshore processing.
Offshore processing has had far-reaching consequences beyond our region as
well. In the United Kingdom, a similar policy is unfolding, modelled on
Australia’s asylum practices. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government has just
passed legislation that provides new powers to deport those who seek protection
across the Channel.
As the number of people in need of protection grows every year, it is
imperative that unlawful and unsustainable efforts to push the problem
elsewhere be reversed. Bringing Australia’s offshore processing policy to an
end is an important first step.
But Australia must also look ahead to the challenges and opportunities that
forced migration will create in the coming decade."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
