The Australian Government says that it does not intend to soften its policy relating to asylum seekers and refugees because the people smugglers are still there in Indonesia, and in Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has ruled out any softening of Australia’s policy, telling Parliament: ‘We will not deviate because the people smugglers are still there in Indonesia, and in Sri Lanka and Vietnam and elsewhere trying to put syndicates together to put people on to boats.’
The cost of stopping the boats has been calculated at more than $9.6 billion since 2013, and will be another $5.7 billion over the next four years, according to a study by Save the Children and UNICEF.
The study estimates the cost of keeping around 2000 asylum seekers and refugees on Manus Island and Nauru at $400,000 per person, compared with just $33,000 for those on bridging visas in the Australian community.
It asserts the policy is inflicting incalculable harm on asylum seekers, especially children; straining bilateral relationships; and damaging Australia’s bid for a seat on the United Nation’s Human Rights Council.
- Mercury
-Agencies
