A call for TPVs is a call for increasing asylum boats.

20 April 2009

Media Release Monday 20th April, 2009

For Immediate release

"A call for TPVs is a call for increasing asylum boats."

A Just Australia has today said that federal Coalition calls to reintroduce temporary protection visas (TPVs) would increase asylum boat numbers.

"When the TPV was first introduced we saw a marked increase in boat numbers for the next few years. It was only when the former government started actually towing boats back to Indonesia, a major breach of international conventions, that numbers decreased." said Kate Gauthier, National coordinator.

The facts are these: after TPVs were introduced there was an increase in asylum boat numbers. This reduced when global numbers also reduced and the former government introduced other deterrent policies and began working with regional governments to combat people smuggling.

A Just Australia calls for fair and proper analysis of asylum data, rather than the current distortion of statistics for political expediency. The current small increase in numbers to Australia is reflected by a similar global increase in asylum seeking activities, which disproves claims that recent changes to asylum policy has caused increased boat numbers.

"Frankly, while the Coalition declines to show any causality or proof to the claim that changes to asylum policy increases boats, they could also claim that repealing workchoices policies has also had a pull factor to asylum seekers who want good jobs. The data simply does not reflect their claims." said Ms Gauthier.

"The only policies that reduce asylum boats is to work regionally to combat people smuggling rings, and to provide options to asylum seekers so they are not forced to use those services in order to find a safe haven."

TPVs were the cause of so many women and children dying on the SIEV-X asylum boat which sank, as this visa prohibits access to family reunion for refugees.

"Let's also remember that Pauline Hanson first proposed temporary visas. We are disappointed to see that Malcolm Turnbull is such a fan of her work." said Ms Gauthier.

A Just Australia is also calling for calm around the investigation of the fire on board the asylum vessel. The last time that information was released early for political expediency was the Children Overboard
affair.

"It is highly improper for anyone to call for the Navy and Police investigation protocols to be breached. The investigations into the incident should be allowed to continue in a proper manner, without pressure on those agencies to follow the media cycle or release information to be used for playing political games." said Ms Gauthier.

Available online http://www.ajustaustralia.com/mediareleases_latest.php


For media comment:
Kate Gauthier 0414 876 139