Immigration Minister Soft on Law

13 July 2007

Yesterday the Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews issued a media release claiming that a Labor government would be soft on people smuggling. Unfortunately the statement shows that the Minister is soft on law when it comes to knowing his own Migration Act.

"Minister Andrews keeps referring to asylum seekers as 'illegal boat people' when in fact it does not break any laws when a person enters Australia for the purpose of seeking asylum. It is shameful that the Minister responsible for this law is either ignorant of it, or is deliberately misleading the Australian public." said Kate Gauthier, National Coordinator.

In June 2004 in reporting guideline No. 262, the Press Council has ruled on the use of these terms by finding "The problem with the use of terms such as "illegal refugee" and "illegal asylum seeker" is that they are often inaccurate and may be derogatory. The Council cautions the press to be careful in the use of such unqualified terms in reports and headlines."
Ms Gauthier said "The press council ruled that people should not use the term 'illegal' when referring to asylum seekers. It is shameful that the media staff preparing the Immigration Ministers public statements cannot even follow industry standards for truth."

The Minister has also claimed that Coalition policies of offshore processing of asylum seekers stops people entering Australia. In fact, of the 1064 refugees processed under 'Pacific Solution' policies, only 3.9% were settled in countries other than Australia and New Zealand.