The Immigration Minister, Brendan O’Connor, has indicated that some of the Sri Lankans who arrived by boat in Geraldton a week ago will probably be sent back.
A total of 66 people were on the boat which arrived at the harbour on Western Australia’s Mid West coast without being intercepted by border protection authorities.
Mr. O’Connor says the Government will treat people fairly and Australia will meet its international obligations.
The minister has told Sky news that any people in the group will be sent back if Australia does not have a legal obligation to them.
“I’ll be advised very shortly and I’m saying to you this that if they don’t exercise our obligation they’ll be returned home,” he said.
“It will be imminent because there is a process going on to ensure that we make this decision and send a very powerful message that if you, of course, if you are afforded protection we’ll treat you as we should in accordance with the convention but if you are not, you return to your home country.” (RadioAustralia)
