Send Lankans home - Australian opposition

6 November 2012 05:20 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The federal government should charter another plane immediately to send back the dozens of Sri Lankan asylum seekers arriving on Australian shores, according to opposition immigration minister Scott Morrison.

Customs intercepted three asylum seeker boats carrying a total of 58 people on Monday, following the arrival of five boats carrying more than 300 people over the weekend.

Speaking in Perth, Mr Morrison said Australia was still a "sure bet" for asylum seekers - with the Gillard government a magnet for people smugglers.

"The arrival of ten boats in the last five days to start November proves that once again the Gillard government is a sure bet for people smugglers," Mr Morrison said.

"There is a stain on this government and it is the stain of failure to protect its borders. This government now has a pull factor for people smugglers.

"Quite a number of those that have been intercepted yesterday have come from Sri Lanka. The government on the weekend were hailing a new policy of fly backs - so there should be a plane leaving today for Sri Lanka.

"If that is not the case then the latest announcement from the government is just another ruse, instead of restoring the proven policies of the Howard government."

Late last week, a group of 26 Sri Lankan men were sent home from Christmas Island after being found not to have legitimate asylum claims.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen also confirmed the final member of a group of 15 Sri Lankans involved in allegedly hijacking a boat in Sri Lankan waters had also gone home.

Mr Morrison said the government needed to keep chartering flights to keep sending a message.

"The minister himself has said he believes those coming for Sri Lanka are economic refugees," Mr Morrison said.

"He is the one saying he can fly them straight back, but one flight does not make a policy.

"We will only know if this is a serious policy if we see the planes going back to Sri Lanka as frequently as the boats from Sri Lanka come to Australia.

"As every single boat arrives, the odds only improve for the people smugglers. The odds only improve for those who may get sent to Nauru ending up in Australia." (Source: Brisbane Times)

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Comments - 14

Malin Tuesday, 06 November 2012 05:35 AM

How about Australia opening anothercheap airline to transport the asylum seekers back to their original countries.

Jan Tuesday, 06 November 2012 05:45 AM

Good source of foreign exchange for the country. Pay rupees and bring dollars

michael Tuesday, 06 November 2012 05:53 AM

Asylum airlines.

Die Agent Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:35 AM

very good move , Sri Lankans in Aussie Please Vote this guy
we need people like this

mamath Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:38 AM

The difference between Sri Lanka & Australia: Australian Shadow Cabinet is in opposition & Sri Lankan Shadow Cabinet coexist within the Govt Ranks

Yuri Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:54 AM

Is it sponsor By MR and Co

Katie Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:01 AM

I agree with Australian opposition immigration minister Scott Morrison simply because the sri lankans applying for citizenship in the legal manner are not getting a positive answer but are rejected for simple and trivial matters. Well said Mr Minister Scott

Ananda S Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:01 AM

Harper and Canadian goverment should do the exact same thing without dinning and partying with them for pro-LTTE votes. Once anti-LTTE Conservtive Harper goverment now even going to boycott commonwealth meeting in SL because he embraces these illegal refugees on Canadian soil.

Lobo Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:52 AM

Well said Katie.

I.O.Sull-Lee Tuesday, 06 November 2012 10:48 AM

is it now they realise? all the riff raff about HR etc was grossly exaggerated. yes we do have HR issues but not in the extent that is portrayed to the west by people seeking greener pastures by abusing the concept of refugees.

nilu Tuesday, 06 November 2012 11:15 AM

Good Move, no one should be allowed illegaly, most of these people are nu refugees, when these people go there Australia will also get spoiled by them. Ausstralia should at least take action now,

Danushka Desilva Tuesday, 06 November 2012 12:11 PM

also known as Mihin Air

adrian Wednesday, 07 November 2012 04:14 AM

every asylum seeker should be deported immediately on our countries account and after arriving here they should be told to pay back the costs incurred, and stay in our camps on full board basis at walikada.

Ruwan Dassanayake. Wednesday, 07 November 2012 04:40 AM

Yes.Good move.They must be sent back immediately. Australia should not support the human smuglers.

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Send Lankans home - Australian opposition

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