SA:Asylum seekers being briefed on fate

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2011
SA:Asylum seekers being briefed on fate

(Eds note: confirms number is 55, not 54 as reported earlier)



ADELAIDE, Aug 4 AAP - The first of 55 asylum seekers to be sent to Malaysia are being
briefed about their fate, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says.

The minister would not say how the 36 adults and 19 minors were taking the news that
they would not have their claims for refugee status processed in Australia.

"I wouldn't provide feedback on that," the minister told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday.

But he said the federal government's deal to send unauthorised boat arrivals to be
processed in Malaysia had been well publicised.

"This is an important step," Mr Bowen said.

"It is very important that we send the message very clearly that there is no benefit
in getting on a boat and taking the dangerous journey to Australia."

Mr Bowen said pre-transfer vetting for the 55 had begun and was supposed to be completed
in 72 hours.

Among the 19 minors, three were accompanied, 14 were unaccompanied and two were travelling
with older siblings.

The minister said there were no blanket exceptions under the Malaysian deal for anybody
arriving in Australia, even unaccompanied children.

"We can expect people smugglers to try it on and we can expect people smugglers to lie," he said.

But Mr Bowen said people would come to see that Australia meant business.

AAP lk/tjd/jnb/de

KEYWORD: BOAT BOWEN

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.