The Turnbull government has announced a deal that will see the remaining refugees held in offshore processing centres offered resettlement in the United States.
Speaking at a press conference this morning with Immigration and Border Protection minister Peter Dutton, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the deal is a “one-off agreement” that will only be available to people currently in the off-shore centres.
Turnbull said the priority for resettlement will be women, children and families. He said the arrangements will take time to be implemented, the government would not be rushed and would work with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).
Refugees who reject a resettlement offer will be granted a 20-year visa to stay on Nauru.
Turnbull and Dutton emphasised that Australia’s border protection policy had not changed. “Those who come with people smugglers will not be admitted under any circumstances,” said Turnbull.
Turnbull attacked Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, accusing him of abandoning the national interest by opposing legislation that will deny Australian settlement to refugees. “We need to send now, more than ever, the clearest and unequivocal message: if they seek to come Australia unlawfully, they will not succeed.”
- Listen to Turnbull and Dutton’s press conference (31m)
- Watch the press conference (31m)
