Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that, for many living in our communities right across the country, there is some frustration about the resolution of visa status for those who had asylum claims rejected under the flawed fast-track process under the previous government. I've met with a group of asylum seekers and protesters in this situation at my electorate office, and Minister Burke also met with a group of asylum seekers and protesters in exactly this situation at his electorate office a few weeks ago. I've also met with a number of local community groups about this issue.

I understand people are in limbo, and I too want this limbo to end. Many people have been in this situation for over a decade. Under the previous government, a large number of people who had had their asylum claims rejected under the fast-track process were told that they couldn't stay but weren't sent home or to another country. This meant that they have been living in communities and in limbo for over a decade.

I want to see a resolution to this situation for the thousands of people still waiting. I've spoken to the minister's office, and the minister is working through the composition of this entire group with the Department of Home Affairs to try and get a sensible outcome on a case-by-case basis.