Asylum seekers held in limbo in Australia and on Nauru could be sent to New Zealand within weeks under an “in principle” agreement between the two countries.
Refugee activists welcomed confirmation that a final round of negotiations between both governments would take place over coming weeks. The matter would then go before New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s cabinet and the Morrison government for sign off.
Amnesty International Australia refugee adviser Graham Thom said he hoped the deal to settle 150 refugees per year from Australia’s offshore detention regime would be announced soon.
“New Zealand’s generous offer has been on the table since 2013 – it’s encouraging to hear it’s so close to being finalised, but now the government has to act and get it done,” Dr Thom said.
“Too many people have been traumatised and lost years of their lives in our cruel immigration system, and it’s past time they’re given a chance to rebuild their lives in safety and freedom.”
Mostafa Azimitabar, who was held on Manus Island and then in the Park Hotel in Melbourne for eight years, said it was “absolutely a historical moment in Australia”.
“The power of people is stronger than politicians. The government couldn’t resist this powerful pressure. Our consistency made this happen.”
Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo confirmed in a Senate estimates committee hearing on Monday that the matter would go back for a final round of negotiations over the coming weeks.
Mr Pezzullo agreed with Labor senator Raff Ciccone’s characterisation that there had been an “in principle” deal, but he cautioned the Australian government still had concerns.
He said Australia wanted a guarantee there would be no “backdoor” for the people transferred to come to Australia.
Awhazi Arab refugee Mehdi, 24, has been in detention since he was 15. Tennis star Novak Djokovic may have left the Park Hotel, but Mehdi still waits to be free.
“So, we are still working on those issues with the New Zealanders,” Mr Pezzullo said.
“There is an issue given the trans-Tasman travel arrangements whereby, after a period of time, a special purpose 444 visa would become available to a person.”
Home Affairs deputy secretary Marc Ablong said the “final set of those negotiations is expected in the next few weeks on the New Zealand side as to where their position lies”.
“It’ll have to go through the New Zealand cabinet process before they come to us with their final position.”
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its offer to resettle refugees still stands and the “final agreement on terms and timing is still to be decided by cabinet”.
“Any refugees considered by New Zealand for resettlement would undergo our comprehensive assessment and screening processes, which applies to all refugees accepted under our Refugee Quota Programme.”
The New Zealand government has a long-standing offer to resettle up to 150 refugees who have been rejected by the federal government because they attempted to arrive by boat. The offer had been repeatedly rebuffed by the Australian government since a failed attempt to legislate a lifetime visa ban to stop them returning to Australia at a later date.
But Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews confirmed last year she was working with her New Zealand counterparts to resettle asylum seekers, with a separate refugee transfer arrangement with the United States coming to a close.
There are about 111 asylum seekers on Nauru, 104 in Papua New Guinea and hundreds on the mainland both in the community and in detention centres.
Refugee advocate and former Socceroo Craig Foster also welcomed the fact that the potential deal could be done within weeks, saying “all people deserve safety and a bright future”.
“Australians won’t stand by any longer while politicians turn a blind eye to the suffering of people warehoused offshore and in places like the Park Hotel,” he said.
SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald
