Abbott unveils new 'Pacific Solution'

27 May 2010, 6:31 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has flagged a new asylum seeker policy to toughen up Australia's border protection regime, vowing to "turn back boats".

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has flagged a return to the Pacific Solution and vows to "turn back boats" as part of a suite of measures aimed at toughening up Australia's border protection regime.

The tougher stance on border protection comes as Mr Abbott looks to capitalise on the asylum-seeker issue just months out from the next election.

But the policy, formally unveiled on Thursday morning, was immediately slammed by refugee advocates and moderate elements within his own party.

Liberal sources have confirmed it was not taken to the party room before being announced. However, it was approved by the shadow cabinet.

In what signals a return to Howard-era border protection policies, Mr Abbott said a coalition government would seek to establish an offshore detention facility in another country.

It would also reintroduce temporary protection visas (TPVs) that would limit a refugee's stay in Australia to three years.

"The next coalition government will swiftly begin negotiations with foreign countries to ensure that there is offshore processing available in those countries should Christmas Island be full," he said.

Mr Abbott would also push for a broader regional agreement under which the so-called offshore facilities would be shared by other countries.

However, he refused to nominate which countries might be approached and no details were provided in terms of the cost.

"That will be determined at the time, depending upon the negotiations, but I do want to point out that every illegal boat arrival costs on average $82,000 to process," Mr Abbott said.

A report by Oxfam and A Just Australia put the cost of the Pacific Solution, which saw asylum seekers detained on Manus Island and Nauru, at more than $1 billion over five years, or $500,000 per person.

Mr Abbott also vowed to turn boats back, whether in international waters or Australian territory, "where circumstances allow".

Immigration Minister Chris Evans warned that attempts to turn boats around would only put lives at risk, pointing out that asylum seekers often sabotaged their vessels.

"Australians have got to realise that policy will eventually cost the lives of our defence personnel and this government won't be doing it," Senator Evans said.

Senator Evans said the coalition's policy was not a solution.

"To suggest somehow that Indonesia is going to accept boats turned around by Australia, despite the attitude of their government and statements of their foreign minister, is a nonsense.

"To say that TPVs will work is disproved by the evidence. To say that the Pacific Solution will work is again disproved by the evidence."

He said 70 per cent of the people who were detained on Nauru and Manus Island were eventually granted refugee status and resettled in Australia.

Mr Abbott said the "relative swiftness" with which the flow of asylum seekers stopped once the Howard government put its full range of policies in place suggested his changes would have an impact within "a matter of months".

Refugee advocates immediately slammed the policy.

Amnesty International refugee coordinator Graham Thom said it would breach Australia's international obligations.

The Refugee Council of Australia said it would only harm vulnerable children, women and men fleeing persecution, torture and violence.

A number of Liberal MPs also criticised the plan, which was formed without the approval of the coalition party room.

Outgoing Liberal backbencher Petro Georgiou said he would not support the changes.

"The policy announced today on refugees is cruel. It further victimises the persecuted," he said.

Victorian senator Judith Troeth described it as reverting "to harsh and inhumane treatment of those who arrive in this country seeking refuge".

Mr Abbott said he respected their "conscientious right" to take a position different to his own.

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