Australia plays down court refugee ruiling

6 October 2012 04:30 am - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Australian Federal Government is playing down the significance of the High Court ruling that found a Sri Lankan refugee could not be denied a visa, despite being deemed a security risk.

The ruling could have implications for more than 50 other refugees who have adverse security assessments and are under indefinite detention.

The High Court said it was invalid to use an adverse security assessment from ASIO to prevent a 36-year-old Tamil man from Sri Lanka being granted a protection visa.

The majority of the court ruled that the regulation which allows ASIO rulings to be used in that way is inconsistent with the Migration Act.

But the Government says the decision does not undermine the Government's approach to asylum seekers.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon is currently assessing the ruling, with Labor calling on the Opposition to support possible legislative changes to Australia's migration laws in the wake of the decision.

Federal frontbencher Brendan O'Connor says the Government will work to find a balance between issues of national security and its obligations under international refugee conventions.

"I think in the main we have got it right, but the High Court has ruled that one regulation is invalid," he said.

"The Attorney-General has already made very clear she will be considering the implications of the decision and will take the appropriate steps and we would expect the Opposition to do what's in the interests of this country."

Opposition Immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says he will support any new laws to protect national security.

He says the ruling could allow people who are a security risk to get visas.

Refugee advocates say they are concerned that the Government will not accept yesterday's ruling and are calling for the asylum seekers to be released.

Ms Roxon says the High Court explicitly ruled that the Sri Lankan man's detention is valid.

"The judges say the decision now needs to be re-made with respect to this one individual, and they explicitly say - by a majority - that he is to remain in detention while that's done," she said.

Ms Roxon emphasised the High Court did rule in favour of the process used by ASIO, and did not address questions of whether indefinite detention is lawful.

"Previously, the High Court did back the Government's ability to take such action," she said.

"Obviously, there are new people on the court. It can obviously reconsider its position.

"This decision explicitly did not deal with that issue, but we do know that there are other cases that were put on hold while this one was being dealt with, which will no doubt now be heard by the High Court at some point in the future, and the Government will put its arguments in that case."

The chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Kon Karapnagiotidis, says he is worried about what the Government might do next.

"I'm concerned about the Government already talking about not accepting the umpire's decision and again trying to subvert it by changing the law," he said.

"All the minister has to do is follow the umpire's decision - let these people out and, if not, at least grant them refugee status.

"If he thinks there's genuine evidence to refuse them on grounds of national security he has the power to cancel that visa before they're even released."(ABC News)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 5

vat hora Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:14 PM

very soon we can see aussinadu. we need little help from tamilnadu.

Lanka Lion - Sydney Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:31 PM

Seems a genuine refugee and not one who wants to return home and make a fast buck courtesy of the Australian taxpayer.

patriot Saturday, 06 October 2012 05:44 PM

this is show how australia is not obeying it own law , shame !

NIHAL GUNATILAKE Sunday, 07 October 2012 12:23 AM

Hi- Umpires Decisons are not FINAL these days. You can GO UPSTAIRS FOR A REVIEW changed the umpires decisions.

You cannot compromise National Security. bye- nihalg

cxcb Sunday, 07 October 2012 12:40 AM

some of you guys don't read local papers or i assume local news not bring currents issues in Tamil areas.
economic or otherwise, people will leave SL at any cost and this is not just for Tamils but also Sinhalese.
When murders in the ruling with other murders around them, you still pretend that SL is safe ?
have some medicine for short memory issues.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Australia plays down court refugee ruiling

Comments - 5

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident