Australia Gets Tough on People Smugglers and Halts Processing of Claims by Some Asylum Seekers

The Australian Government has announced the suspension of any new asylum claims from Sri Lanka or Afghanistan as a result of the evolving circumstances in both countries.

Effective from 9 April 2010, asylum seekers from these countries will not have their claims assessed for three months (Sri Lanka) or six months (Afghanistan). The suspensions will be reviewed at the end of these periods.

The Australian Government is also taking additional steps to crack down on people smugglers and those who finance them.

The Australian Government expects that the combined effect of this suspension and the changing circumstances in these two countries will mean it is likely that, in the future, more asylum claims from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will be refused. Refused asylum seekers will be sent home.

The Australian Government will apply new, tougher processes to the assessment of asylum claims from other countries and for those currently on Christmas Island, urging asylum seekers not to believe promises from people smugglers about travelling to Australia.

This new policy, combined with the work of the Indonesian National Police to break up criminal syndicates—which has resulted in more than 60 arrests since September 2008—sends a clear message to people smugglers that governments in the region will not tolerate this criminal behaviour.

In a related move, Australia will strengthen its anti-people smuggling laws by making it an offence for anyone to provide funds or other support that facilitates the crime of people smuggling in Australia. Australia is determined to send a strong message that, by working closely with partner countries in the region, people smugglers will be caught and will go to jail.

Australia collaborates closely with a range of Indonesian agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate-General of Immigration, the Indonesian Navy and the Indonesian Maritime Security Coordinating Board to deter people smuggling ventures and irregular migration and welcomes the cooperation both countries share.

Media Enquiries:
Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175