Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 2 March 2011:

With reference to the Government's promise to resettle 500 UNHCR registered refugees from Indonesia: Can the Government confirm whether this target has been met; if not (a) how many from the promised 500 have been resettled; and (b) what will be the timeframe for resettling the remaining refugees.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(a) The Australian Government resettles UNHCR mandated refugees from a number of locations globally.

In relation to refugees resettled from Indonesia, in the 2009–10 Program year (which runs from 1 July to 30 June), 109 visas were granted to UNHCR mandated refugees under the Humanitarian Program.

In the 2010–11 Program year to 28 February 2011, 457 visas have been granted to UNHCR mandated refugees in Indonesia under the Humanitarian Program.

(b) Most refugees who are granted visas travel shortly after visa grant, however this is subject to flight availability and ensuring that appropriate settlement services are available in Australia.