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Oxfam supports regional solution

Oxfam supports regional solution

The Gillard Labor Government welcomed Oxfam Australia’s call for bipartisan support for a UNHCR sanctioned regional protection framework.

Oxfam’s briefing paper ‘Asylum Seekers – the way forward’, notes that a comprehensive regional approach, including a regional processing centre, “could be the key to unlocking a difficult political and humanitarian problem.”

“The Government welcomes Oxfam Australia’s contribution to a mature discussion about asylum seekers,” Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said.

“We also welcome Oxfam’s endorsement of a regional protection framework that is supported by the UNHCR.”

Senator Evans said there was growing support from respected organisations and individuals for the Gillard Labor Government’s regional processing centre proposal, as part of a regional protection framework.

“Respected voices, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Refugee Council of Australia President John Gibson, have supported the call for a regional framework,” he said.

“Prime Minister Gillard has made it clear there is no quick fix to this complex issue but we want to wreck the people smuggling trade by removing the incentive for people to get on a leaky boat in the first place.

“Labor will establish a regional processing centre in a country that is a signatory to the Refugee Convention and work with our regional partners to implement a sustainable, regional solution.

“The government is determined to developing a regional solution and will constructively engage with our regional partners and international organisations.”