Senate debates

Thursday, 4 February 2016

Motions

Asylum Seekers

12:32 pm

Photo of Sarah Hanson-YoungSarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate calls on the Turnbull Government to grant amnesty to the 267 men, women and children in Australia as part of the M68 High Court challenge, and allow them to stay.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Gavin MarshallGavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this motion but will not be calling a division. The government remains committed to its border protection policy including regional processing. The government does not want to see boats arriving again and children put at risk of drowning on those voyages. Our policy for moving transferees and refugees to Australia and returning them to a regional processing country at the conclusion of medical treatment has not changed. The government will maintain its compassionate approach to those in Australia accessing medical attention. We will continue our practice of assessing any returns on a case-by-case basis.

Photo of Gavin MarshallGavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the motion be agreed to.