The Morrison government’s decision to accept an offer from New Zealand to resettle hundreds of refugees is a “good day for human rights” but Australia’s “beastly” immigration system needs to be reformed.
That was the assessment by former Socceroo and refugee advocate Craig Foster following the Australian government’s announcement on Thursday it would belatedly finalise the arrangement after a nine-year delay.
Up to 450 refugees in Australia’s regional processing centres will be accepted in New Zealand over a three-year period under the deal, the federal government has said.
Mr Foster called on the government to do more, with Amnesty International flagging the new arrangement would leave approximately 500 people in limbo.
“My visit to Papua New Guinea with Amnesty showed me the humanity of the people seeking safety and the destruction of lives perpetrated by Australia,” he said.
“I thank everyone raising their voice around Australia for a commitment to basic decency, our high profile ambassadors, (New Zealand Prime Minister) Jacinda Ardern and say well done to Scott Morrison on finally taking the right action.
“It’s just the start, Scott – there are many more steps required to dismantle this beastly system.”
New Zealand’s resettlement offer was first made by its then-prime minister John Key in xjmtzyw2013.
It was accepted by former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard and subsequently sat on by successive Coalition governments, who cited concerns it would create a “backdoor” for refugees to enter Australia.
The arrangement will prioritise the approximately 100 people who remain on Nauru or are temporarily in Australia under regional processing arrangements and meet the criteria for NZ’s refugee program.
It is not open to those who are “engaged in other third country resettlement pathways”, such as the arrangement Australia has with the United States.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews stressed the agreement would not apply to people who arrived by boat in the future.
“Australia remains firm – illegal maritime arrivals will not settle here permanently. Anyone who attempts to breach our borders will be turned back or sent to Nauru,” she said in a statement.
She doubled down later on Thursday, telling journalists the Morrison government had not changed its policy.
“We have made it very clear that people who come to Australia illegally by boat will never settle in Australia,” she said.
Ms Andrews said she couldn’t put a time frame on the New Zealand resettlement arrangement, but she hoped it could be finalised as soon as possible.
“We look forward to people being resettled in New Zealand,” she said.
NZ Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said he welcomed Australia’s decision to finally follow through with the arrangement.
“New Zealand has a long and proud history of refugee resettlement and this arrangement is another example of how we are fulfilling our humanitarian international commitment,” he said.
“We are pleased to be able to provide resettlement outcomes for refugees who would otherwise have continued to face uncertain futures.”
Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo first flagged in 2020 that the offer from New Zealand would only be accepted at the conclusion of the current deal with the US.
