Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] This is indeed a sensitive issue and topic. It is sensitive because we wish to make clear that, obviously, in all of the current circumstances and for the foreseeable future, given the security situation in Afghanistan, nobody is going to be repatriated or expected to return to Afghanistan, given the threats that may exist. However, it's also important, in terms of the protection of life and the protection of our migration system in a way that enables us to make decisions to prioritise those most in need and most appropriate to be allowed to come to Australia, that we maintain confidence and order in the migration program. That requires us to make sure that the policy settings we've put in place that have stopped the tragic flow of boats to Australia—a tragic flow of boats that saw so many people lose their lives, that saw people smugglers gain an upper hand and take advantage of vulnerable people—doesn't have any opportunity to restart. That's why we're keeping in place policies that stopped that.