House debates Questions without Notice
Asylum Seekers
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
2:53 pm
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Prior to election, the Prime Minister promised there would be a regional processing centre in Timor-Leste. Will it be established within 12 months, within 24 months or never?
Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. The government has said consistently that a regional processing centre in the context of a regional arrangement and framework for dealing with asylum seekers would be evolved over time. Secondly, it was the subject of negotiations and discussions between me and the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Timor-Leste in New York. Thirdly, it was agreed that it would form the subject of discussions when the Bali Process meeting is held in the months ahead. That meeting will deal with the overall regional pressures of people smuggling and unauthorised regional and international people movements.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Mr Morrison interjecting
Kevin Rudd Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
That is the process by which we are doing it. It is the right approach.