By Anita : The first group of Vietnamese asylum seekers from the Manus Island regional processing centre has been returned home, a spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said today.
The return of the group of 15 came as the government announced regional processing arrangements would be significantly expanded to ensure unauthorised maritime arrivals to Australia are transferred to Papua New Guinea, where their protection claims will be assessed and, if recognised as refugees, where they will be settled.
The new policy also rules out any chance of settlement in Australia. “This makes it crystal clear that those who pay smugglers are throwing their money away and risking their lives in the process,” a departmental spokesman said today.
“Even if you are found to be a refugee you will not be settled in Australia anymore. The people smugglers’ guarantee is now worthless.“You are buying a ticket to another country. You will be sent to Papua New Guinea and permanently settled there. “Paying a people smuggler is not a ticket to Australia – the rules have now changed.”
The spokesman said Australia would continue to return people to their home countries who did not engage its protection obligations.