Peter Andren (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Attorney, can you inform the House on the current status of the application for asylum from the 43 Papuan refugees now being held for processing on Christmas Island?

Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for Calare for his question. Obviously, these matters will be progressed by the department as quickly and as expeditiously as possible, but I would make this point about the handling of these matters. I have noted the efforts of some to ensure that the identifying of those who have come to Australia before claims have been dealt with, properly and appropriately in accordance with law, has been allowed to occur. One of the problems I have with matters of that sort is that, under the international conventions that we are a party to, claims which are sur place—that is, claims that are made in the media unrelated to any possible persecution—do not give rise to an asylum claim. People have been left exposed, I think, by the way in which this issue has been attempted to be used by some. These decisions should be dealt with appropriately by the department and properly in accordance with law.