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

I move:

That the Senate calls on the Government to cease the current 'on water' screening and transfers of asylum seekers which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said fall well short of Australia's international obligations and could mean that asylum seekers were returned, or refouled, to persecution.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting this motion. The government forthrightly reject the suggestion that Australia is in any way in breach of our international obligations. Australia returned to Sri Lanka 37 Singhalese and four Tamils because none engaged in any of Australia's protection obligations and hence were not refugees. To suggest otherwise provides tacit approval for illegal migration. The government's focus is to do everything in its power to prevent people smuggling and loss of life at sea.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 361 be agreed to. A division is required. We will ring the bells for four minutes, as I understand some senators have left the chamber.