Prime Minister Tony Abbott says his government has a mandate to introduce temporary protection visas.
Abbott and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison held a joint press conference just before Question Time today to reiterate their support for TPVs following the Senate’s vote against their reintroduction last night. The vote was carried by the ALP and the Greens who retain a blocking majority until June 30 next year.
The Prime Minister was at pains to repeat his message to asylum seekers contemplating paying people smugglers for a boat journey to Australia. “You should not come because you will not stay,” he said.
Abbott has threatened to keep the parliament sitting until close to Christmas in order to put pressure on the ALP.