Opposition hits back over border protection failures

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Created on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 13:47

Written by Editorial staff

Opposition spokesperson on immigration and citizenship Scott Morrison has rebuked the claim by the federal government that the Coalition wasn't willing to raise an important element of its border protection plan with Indonesian officials.

Speaking at a press conference in India, prime minister Julia Gillard claims Tony Abbott and his accompanying frontbenchers, Julie Bishop and Mr Morrison didn't have the fortitude, to raise the issue of turning back the boats with the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Speaking with Lateline's Emma Alberici, Morrison said that given the government's record on border protection, it shouldn't be pointing fingers over a private discussion between the opposition and Indonesian officials.

"Well I think it'd be very unfair for you to draw any implications or make any commentary on the nature of these discussions, Emma, because the media weren't part of those discussions. I mean, I've been part of these discussions, as has Julie.

He went on to say that Julia Gillard and her immigration minister aren't talking with Indonesia over the issue, so the opposition saw an opportunity to build a working relationship with the president.

"And in order to address people smuggling issues in this region you need strong relationships and I think that's what we've demonstrated," he said.

Given the fact that under government policy since 2008 nearly 26,000 people have arrived without immigration visas on Australia's shores - while in the entire 11 years of the Liberal government, only 14,000 boats arrived - the Coalition has taken the uncommon and bold step of beginning a dialogue with Indonesia while in opposition.

Immigration minister Chris Bowen, speaking on the ABC's 7:30 program, admitted that returning asylum seekers to their home countries has been fairly inconsequential.

"We've returned over 40 people to Sri Lanka, for example. You will say, well, 40's a small number compared to the arrivals; that's a reasonable point to make," he said.

It comes as The Australian reports that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has come under fire from immigration lawyer David Bitel over the rules that grant or reject a claim for a student visa.

Liana Allan of Migration Alliance says that Mr Bitel made a fantastic point when he said that the department has missed the mark and that the criteria for the visa is subjective, unpredictable and that those in charge of processing the visas may allow their prejudices to influence their decisions.

"There is a belief among minority groups (such as Muslims in India or Hindus in Bangladesh) that processing officers can use their prejudice to deny visas," he told the News Limited publication.