Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to speak on the answers provided by Minister Vanstone. Firstly I would like to clarify a couple of points for the honourable senator on the other side of the chamber. People arriving by sea in Australia under this proposed legislation will still be eligible to make visa applications, but they will be processed offshore. The intention of this legislation is very clear. People found to be refugees will remain offshore while their resettlement is arranged. Under the existing provisions, the minister has a non-compellable power to allow a person to make a valid visa application in Australia. Senator Hurley has talked extensively about an article by Mr Greg Sheridan; I am not aware that he is a member of this government, but he is certainly welcome to put forward his beliefs about this law. We will continue to meet our international obligations under the refugee policy, and any claims to refugee status will be properly assessed at an offshore location, as I have mentioned, in accordance with the refugees convention.

The minister touched on the hypotheticals, and a number of them were raised in the question. If third party countries are needed to be contacted we will deal with that when the situation arises. I think this is an extension of the most successful border protection policy that has ever been introduced in Australia. The Australian government has taken several opportunities to brief the United Nations Human Rights Commission on the operation of the proposed new arrangements and will continue to do this as the proposals are further articulated.

The minister talked extensively about our relationship to the international community, and as Australians we have a right to determine on our terms who is an eligible refugee in this country and who is authorised to stay here. The appropriate solution clarifies the situation so that people do not take unnecessary risks attempting to reach the mainland of Australia with a view to getting treatment that is perceived to be more favourable. This is a simple, consistent exercise that the government is proposing in the interests of a fair and balanced process, ensuring that all refugee applications and asylum seekers are treated equally, irrespective of where they land. It is consistent with what is good for our nation and our region, and it fosters international goodwill amongst our very near neighbours. In concluding, I would like to say that the people who arrive here in Australia and seek asylum will be processed in accordance with our international commitments. Those people who are found to be genuine asylum seekers will be processed according to our laws.