Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. Mr Robb is entirely correct in what he says. That is why Australia saves its places for refugees for those most in need. That underlines exactly why we are strong on border control. One of our key reasons is so that spaces are available for those most in need. And why do you think, Senator, that 70 per cent of our refugee intake for the last year has come from Africa? It is because people on this side of the chamber recognise that they are the most in need. The proportion will decline a bit for last year and this year because we have been advised by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees that the Karen people on the Thai border with Burma, or Myanmar, are in similar high need; we expect our refugee intake from that area to increase. So, Senator, to point out that there are people from Africa with high need does not really distinguish them at all from the other refugees that we want to bring in. Australia’s position as the second largest taker of people in need of resettlement is that we will take those in most need first. (Time expired)