Abbott's Pacific Solution divides Liberals

28 May 2010, 6:00 am   -   Source: AAP, SBS Staff
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Liberal MP Petro Georgiou has called Abbott's plans 'cruel'. (AAP)

Liberal MP Petro Georgiou has called Abbott's plans 'cruel'. (AAP)

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has been criticised from within his own party over his proposed return to Pacific Solution-styled detention of asylum seekers.

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Opposition leader Tony Abbott has been criticised from within his own party over his proposed return to Pacific Solution-styled detention of asylum seekers.

Releasing further detail of the opposition's immigration policy on Thursday, Abbott said the coalition would immediately look at setting up processing camps in other countries.

"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," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.

It signals a return to the Pacific Solution of the previous Howard government, which detained asylum seekers at camps on Manus Island and Nauru.

"This is about stopping the boats," Mr Abbott said.

"We've done it before, we'll do it again."

But there is anger on Mr Abbott's benches.

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

"The policy announced today on refugees is cruel. It further victimises the persecuted. It does not have my support."

Mr Abbott also reportedly sprung the announcement on his party.

Policy 'not approved' by party room

Liberal MPs arriving at Parliament House on Thursday confirmed the formal policy hadn't been approved by the joint coalition party room.

The Canberra Times reported that backbenchers Judi Moylan, Petro Georgiou, Judith Troeth and Russel Broadbent were called to discuss the announcement only an hour before it was made.

Broadbent did not attend the meeting, the Times reported, while Troeth said a 'briefing' took place, despite the fact Abbott announced that the policy had been through the proper processes.

Liberal frontbencher Bruce Billson said the issues had been "debated long and hard in the party room".

But pressed on whether the final policy had been put to the party room he said: "Aspects of it have been debated."

"What we don't do is send in the invitation card before the wedding and say 'Is everyone happy with that?' before it goes out," Mr Billson said.

"You know what's important and those elements are embedded in the policy."

Backbencher Dennis Jenson clearly wasn't aware of the detail - even though it had been leaked to newspapers.

He didn't know a coalition government would make refugees work for any welfare payments they received.

"I haven't seen that part of the proposal so I can't comment on it," he told reporters when quizzed on the policy.

'Disappointing' use of asylum seekers as political issue: Greens

It was disappointing to see asylum seekers being used as political issue ahead of the election, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said.

"The policies announced by the coalition today are simply appalling," he told reporters in Canberra, labelling them a return to the Howard-era.

"They're inhumane, they breach international law and they pull the rug from the under the ideal that Australia is a country where you get a fair go."

But Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce said Australians wanted decisive action on border protection.

"The electorate does not accept the nature of borders as they are," he said.

"They do not accept that people who have illegally gone to the front of the queue, for their sins, they get to stay in a four-star resort, four-star hotel in Brisbane."

 

 

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Your Comments

Look at the causes

Blake - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

Politicians need to stop trying to gain political 'brownie' points with voters and start looking at the root causes as to why refugees are coming to Australia, maybe if we improved the lives of people in the countries they are leaving we would see less people desperate enough to risk traveling in this manner.

About time

GEOFF - from Townsville, 2 years ago

A lot of people have the hide to say its cruel to persecute these illegal immigrants, I think Tony Abbott has been the only one who's actually listened to what a majority of Aussies wants from the immigrants.
They don't want to integrate into our society, they just want their little piece of their own country in OZ & have the hide to call Aussies racist when we get sick & tired of their foreign attitude towards our laws.
Immigrants need to respect AUSTRALIA the way we all have had too.

help them

milali - from goldy, 2 years ago

The last set of refugees that were sent home were murdered. That is the definition of what a refugee is :(
We don't get that many, It should be much easier for them to come in, its these people smugglers they need to shoot.

He deserve it !!!

John - from Langwarrin, 2 years ago

Not a surprise why Malcolm Fraser is quitting.
After so many years of retrograde walking to the right, the ex Liberal Party can't hold one of the most respetable figures in its history.
Mr Fraser was actively involved around the world supporting the rights of the asylum seekers.
His convictions and honesty about this human right are stronger than the opportunistics politics of today's Tony Abbot's Conservative and extremist policy toward the asylum seekers.
Well done Mr Fraser. More will follow.

Compassion Gap

Adam - from ACT, 2 years ago

As an immigrant myself, I find the prospect of interning asylum seekers, who have risked so much in the attempt to secure a better life for their children (An aspiration we can surely all relate to?), utterly, utterly disgusting. These people come here because Aus is the only regional country to sign the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Maybe we should encourage our neighbours to sign up, rather than ship refugees away to the Pacific? Just a thought.

Immigration backlash facing Abbott

Ol' Lady - from WA, 2 years ago

Why do some people not realise that we cannot afford to keep accepting boatloads of ilegal immigrants?
What is the good of having a screening process for normal imigration?
Having gone through this process myself I had to get police clearance, a full & complete medical, proof of my work history & somebody in this country who was willing to vouch for me, I then went onto a waiting list.
I didn't resent this at all, but I do resent these people who are attempting to evade the normal processes.

Imagine u born in 3rd world ! every one wants better life !

Krish - from WA, 2 years ago

I like Rudd then Tony I think Tony too much aggresive towards others when u see parliament show he just pointing towards Rudd and that shows he is like Bush. As Obama said Rudd is the one of the top leader in the world and way he deals with problems is rational and that is smart way. I will vote again to Rudd !

Don`t Worry Just Move In

David - from Albany, 2 years ago

Interestingly enough, most Europeans are now looking to stop and/or reduce the number of immigrants, as the areas that the immigrants live in have become violent 'no go' areas.
Stewart, maybe you could all show us true love and allow these alleged destitute immigrants to move in with you and share their ideologies.
Have a few barbies, give them your house and car keys and let them have a room right next to your wife and kids, not knowing who they are or of any criminal past or intent.

Where's the love?

Stewart - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

Europe deals with millions of illegal immigrants and the US alone has on average 150,000 each year. Yet we get all rowdy when just over 1000 show up at our door step...
To Rudd & Abbott, devout christians, where's the love and understanding your messiah preached?
There is no need for spending more on security when you consider the fact that Australia is an island nation and fairly remote at that. The ocean is our security.
We're a 1st world country and should support these destitute people.

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