As long as there’s oppression going on somewhere in the world, people will keep arriving on Australian shores, seeking a place of refuge….  The issue’s back in the spotlight after the explosion this week on a boat near Ashmore Reef off the West Australian coast. Three asylum seekers from Afghanistan died, while two more are missing, presumed dead.

Last year the Rudd Government fulfilled an election promise to abolish Temporary Protection Visas for asylum seekers. This means that peopel who fulfil all the refugee requirements can now be granted permanent residency in Australia - rather than a temporary visa. Essentially it means applications are now processed a lot quicker, and people don’t have to be reassessed again and again, and spend a long time living in uncertainty.

Some politicians are saying these relaxed new laws are actually the cause of an influx in arrivals on our shores. Others say the increasing number is due to other factors including a worldwide increase in people fleeing oppression.

What are your thoughts?

DISCUSSION POINTS

• Are you happy to hear that Asylum seekers are being dealt with more quickly and compassionately?
 
• Is the government right – are people-smugglers to blame for the plight of asylum seekers? After all they are the ones taking people to Australia in very dangerous boats…
 
• Or is the Opposition right – are our relaxed laws to blame for putting more vulnerable asylum seekers at risk?

• Do you have ideas about what the solution might be?

• I’d love to hear from you if you’ve had contact with asylum seekers and refugees…

• Perhaps you’ve volunteered with a church or community group that visits and assists asylum seekers while they’re settling in or waiting for residency status….

• Or if you were a refugee yourself… Give us a call and tell us your experience.  Was your settlement into Australia long and difficult? How were you treated?