Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I have received the following message from the Senate:

The Senate transmits to the House of Representatives the following resolution which was agreed to by the Senate on 29 November 2017:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the New Zealand Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, has continued to pressure Australia to accept New Zealand's offer to resettle 150 refugees who are currently in offshore detention;

  (ii) New Zealand will begin work to expedite processing refugees if, and when, the offer is accepted; and

  (iii) Prime Minister Ardern stated 'We made the offer because we saw a great need. No matter what label you put on it there is absolute need and there is harm being done'; and

(b) calls on the Government to accept New Zealand's offer to resettle 150 refugees and negotiate conditions similar to the United States refugee resettlement agreement.

The Senate requests the concurrence of the House of Representatives in this resolution.

Ordered that the message be considered immediately.

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