REFUGEES RESETTLE

The Immigration Minister has defended the rate of Australia's resettlment of Syrian refugees. Peter Dutton says visas have been issued to around half (6,678) of the 12-thousand Syrians and Iraqis Australia committed to resettling a year ago. He says around six-thousand more are awaiting the outcome of health, character and security checks.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton Source: AAP

He says around six-thousand more are awaiting the outcome of health, character and security checks.

 

Only around a quarter (3,532) have actually been resettled.

 

A group of charities has issued a statement saying the process has been too slow, and calling for the rest to be brought to Australia by the end of March next year.

 

But speaking to the A-B-C, Mr Dutton defended Australia's refugee resettlement rate.

 

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"And we're ahead of the game in that sense ,because for a number of years we brought people from Syria and Iraq in through the base (existing refugee) program, so we've been providing significant support. So it's not just the people within the 12,000 that we committed to."

 

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