Cambodia Solution in asylum-seeker mix

The Australian | April 12, 2014

ASYLUM-SEEKERS processed in Nauru could be resettled in Cambodia under an ambitious regional arrangement being negotiated by the Abbott government. 

Under the plan, still in its embryonic stages, more than 1000 refugees could be given a new home in Cambodia. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said if a deal was clinched with Cambodia, it would potentially apply to all asylum-seekers held on Nauru and Christmas Island.

It would not, however, affect refugees processed through the Manus Island centre, all of whom are slated for resettlement in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Morrison said he was keen to spark a debate about the purpose of the UN Refugee Convention and the resettlement obli­gations of signatory countries.

He said the common assumption was that refugee resettlement equated to an improvement in a person’s economic situation, limiting resettlement options to the developed world.

This, he said, was false.

“We all know that resettlement is not the magic solution to every refugee problem,’’ Mr Morrison said, “but if we are saying we’re going to limit resettlement to economics, I think we’re straying from what the purpose of the convention was all about.’’

Mr Morrison said unlike the previous government’s Malaysia Solution, which was ferociously opposed by the Coalition, transferred refugees would have residency status.

He said another difference was the intent of the two arrangements. Malaysia, Mr Morrison said, was envisaged as “a silver bullet’’ to stop the boats, whereas Cambodia was about dealing with a cohort of refugees already here.

“The stopping-the-boats focus is now principally been carried by our maritime operations,’’ he said.

“That frees us up to address these resettlement options in a different context.’’

There are 1166 asylum-seekers on Nauru, mostly family groups.

On Christmas Island, there are 1300 boatpeople slated for transfer offshore, making for a total of 2400 asylum-seekers potentially subject to the Cambodia deal.

The Weekend Australian understands that only 50 per cent to 60 per cent of those claims are likely to be successful, which would leave about 1200 refugees eligible for resettlement in ­Cambodia.

Mr Morrison also announced yesterday that Nauru, which will now be a party to future talks with Cambodia, will begin finalising refugee claims at a rate of at least 60 a month.

The rate is important as it means the rate of transfer to Cambodia — should a deal be clinched — would be gradual.

Mr Morrison also gave fresh information on how successful refugees would be accommodated in Nauru, which has made it clear it will process asylum claims, but not settle refugees.

The minister said accommod­ation had been secured in the community, which could temporarily house refugees.

If an agreement was struck with Cambodia — and Mr Morrison made it clear that no deal was certain — they could then be transferred.

“I don’t think we’re under any great pressure here,’’ he said.