‘Malaysia Solution’ still in limbo
MARCH 31, 2013
Australia PM Julia Gillard said that she’s committed to seeing the deal through. — Reuters file pic
SYDNEY, March 31 — Australia Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor has yet to speak to Malaysia to fix the people-swap deal or excise the Australian mainland from the migration zone, as recommended by the Houston panel, ahead of a forum advancing a regional solution to break the people-smuggling trade, The Australian reported yesterday.
The paper said the minister’s office also refused to confirm whether the shelved Malaysia Solution would be raised on the sidelines of next week’s Bali Process meeting in Indonesia.
It did, however, confirm to the paper that the Australian government was still trying to pass legislation introduced last October to close down a loophole that allows asylum-seekers to escape offshore processing if they make the Australian mainland by boat.
Panel member Paris Aristotle told The Australian yesterday that further negotiations with Malaysia could result in extra protections for transferred minors and an increase in the numbers of asylum-seekers from the original package.
“If we are able to make it work with Malaysia, then we will be in a position to negotiate an increase to the numbers that they may be prepared to take.
“It is equally important that the government continue that dialogue with Malaysia, but it’s just as important that the opposition and the Greens engage on this issue in a genuine way also. Unless this occurs, the one thing that is certain is that more people will die,” he was quoted as saying.
Last October, then immigration minister Chris Bowen introduced the legislation to excise the Australian mainland into the lower house, arguing it was an important step to implementing the expert panel’s recommendations.
A spokeswoman for Mr O’Connor said yesterday the government was committed to passing the legislation, which remains before the Senate. However, O’Connor confirmed to The Australian on Thursday evening that he had not met with the Malaysian government to repair the failed people-swap deal.
