Keywords: Temporary Protection Visas
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AUSTRALIA
Tony Abbott did not mention the term 'human rights' in his 3000 word speech to the Institute of Public Affairs on Friday. 'Illegal' appeared 11 times and 'asylum' once. In February, Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees gave a 3000 word speech to the Lowy Institute. A search of that speech finds 'human rights' five times, 'asylum' 21 times and no use of 'illegal'.
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RELIGION
- Frank Brennan
- 19 March 2012
Text from Fr Frank Brennan SJ's Lenten presentation 'Justice, the Church and the Ignatian tradition' at St Ignatius Parish, Norwood, 13 March 2012 and St Michael's, Clare, 14 March 2012.
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AUSTRALIA
- John Menadue
- 07 March 2012
9 Comments
The High Commissioner for Refugees has warned Australians about 'populist explanations ... and fears that are overblown'. He clearly had the Coalition in mind. One-liners and slogans don't make for credible refugee policy. Neither does recycling failed policies of the past.
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RELIGION
- Frank Brennan
- 04 November 2011
13 Comments
It is only because we are an island nation continent that we can entertain the absurd notion of sealing our borders from refugee flows. We must remain committed to resettling bona fide refugees who reach our shores regardless of any regional solutions we put in place to deter them.
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AUSTRALIA
- Kerry Murphy
- 27 July 2011
3 Comments
An old legal maxim is 'hard cases make bad law'. Maybe complex cases compromise policy. Refugee law and policy is complex and the Malaysian agreement signed this week is another example of a compromise on human rights principles for political expedience.
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AUSTRALIA
- Fatima Measham
- 15 June 2011
18 Comments
Voters who'd otherwise position themselves between the conservative Liberals and radical Greens are stranded. They are looking for leaders who would rather lose big on matters of principle than win by a margin on compromised policy. History has shown Labor to be the natural home for such leaders.
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AUSTRALIA
- Kerry Murphy
- 28 April 2011
26 Comments
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship say they can't tell me anything. The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security tells me to contact DIAC. As an immigration lawyer I find this frustrating. How much worse must it be for asylum seekers kept in detention with no end in sight?
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INTERNATIONAL
- Susan Metcalfe
- 07 April 2011
22 Comments
Paul Keating said: 'Governments that wander along uncertain about where they are, looking over their shoulder, invariably get run over themselves.' If Labor doesn't stop looking over its shoulder on asylum seekers, it will miss another opportunity to stand up for what it says it believes in.
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INTERNATIONAL
- Arnold Zable
- 22 February 2011
6 Comments
SIEV X survivor Amal Basry died of cancer in 2006. By then she had received her permanent visa and was able to return to see her children, grandchildren and father in the Middle East one more time. When she returned, she expressed a wish to be buried in Australian soil.
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INTERNATIONAL
- Kerry Murphy
- 17 December 2010
12 Comments
Let's hope Wednesday's tragic events are not exploited for political advantage. We remember those who died and offer prayers and condolences for their families. For the living, they need to be treated with dignity.
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INTERNATIONAL
- Kerry Murphy
- 20 August 2010
5 Comments
According to the Coalition, 'bad refugees' who come on boats take places that could otherwise go to 'good
refugees' who wait patiently in camps. Labelling refugees as 'good' or 'bad' according to how they
arrive in Australia reflects an insular opinion that does not reflect
what is happening worldwide.
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RELIGION
- Frank Brennan
- 21 July 2010
11 Comments
The idea of a regional processing centre for asylum seekers requires a lot of detailed diplomatic work.
If Gillard is elected Prime Minister, it could be Kevin Rudd's first test as Foreign Minister. Whoever is elected, and wherever such a
centre is located, it will not be East Timor.
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