The Australian immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has confirmed that Australian staff were evacuated from the regional processing centre on Manus Island after an incident involving “Papua New Guinean agencies”. The minister, who said he had not been fully briefed on the incident, said details were a “matter for the Papua New Guinean government to address”. … Continue reading Australian staff evacuated from asylum detention centre after conflict between Papua New Guinea security forces
Tag: Sri Lanka
UN slams Australia for plan to send asylum seekers home
The United Nations has slammed as a possible breach of the Refugee Convention the Australian government's plans to speedily send a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers home. The boatload of asylum seekers believed to be from Sri Lanka arrived at the far-flung Australian territory of Cocos Islands on Thursday - the first such group … Continue reading UN slams Australia for plan to send asylum seekers home
Australia’s Prime Minister apologises to Malaysia for second time in a week
Tony Abbott has apologised to an Asian leader for the second time in a week over his robust political campaigning before he was elected, offering an "act of contrition" for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. The Australian Prime Minister acknowledged in a meeting with Mr Najib at the APEC conference late on Monday that … Continue reading Australia’s Prime Minister apologises to Malaysia for second time in a week
Indonesia says Australian opposition party unfriendly, insulting
Australian opposition party leader Tony Abbott's plan to buy boats from Indonesian fishermen to prevent the vessels being used by people smugglers has been slammed by Jakarta as unfriendly and an insult to Indonesia. The buyback plan has met with heavy resistance in Jakarta, with a senior member of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's ruling Coalition … Continue reading Indonesia says Australian opposition party unfriendly, insulting
Asylum detainee in Australia is wanted for murder and terrorism in Egypt
An asylum seeker who arrived at Christmas Island last year was wanted in Egypt for premeditated murder, possession of weapons and explosives and destruction of property. The unnamed man was initially held at the low security Inverbrackie detention facility in South Australia. He was moved to a secure facility in Sydney on April 17, some … Continue reading Asylum detainee in Australia is wanted for murder and terrorism in Egypt
Australia pushes for hard line on Sri Lanka human rights abuses
A delegation of Labor MPs has approached Foreign Minister Bob Carr and urged him to take a tougher line on alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. The delegation of between 6-12 Labor MPs petitioned Senator Carr after last Tuesday's caucus meeting. A spokesman for Senator Carr confirmed the approach. The group urged a tougher … Continue reading Australia pushes for hard line on Sri Lanka human rights abuses
Australia says asylum seeker boat arrival not a new people smuggling strategy
Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor believes an asylum-seeker vessel that made it to the mainland is an exception, and does not herald a new strategy by people-smugglers. The Sri Lankan navy has warned the vessel's arrival in the West Australian port of Geraldton will encourage more people to take the dangerous voyage, believing they can evade … Continue reading Australia says asylum seeker boat arrival not a new people smuggling strategy
Australian navy chief says Opposition’s plan to resume turning back asylum seeker boats is dangerous
The navy chief responsible for turning back asylum boats under the Howard government has warned that any decision to reintroduce the policy would be "dangerous stuff" for all concerned. David Shackleton said the Coalition should be under no illusion that such a policy would lead asylum-seekers to sabotage their boats, jump overboard and do whatever … Continue reading Australian navy chief says Opposition’s plan to resume turning back asylum seeker boats is dangerous
Craig Hill 