New approach on asylum seekers

By Lia Bichel
A DANDENONG businessman says he believes the government is confused about the intentions of many asylum seekers, following the recent announcement that asylum claims from Sri Lankan and Afghan nationals would be suspended.
Afghan Association President Abdul Khaliq Fazal said the Federal Government needed to come up with a different approach towards asylum seekers.
“I believe that the government is confused about the issue of asylum seekers, yet the immigration has not come up with the right and workable policy to solve the problems,” he said.
His comments come after Immigration Minister Chris Evans said due to changing circumstances in both countries, the processing of asylum claims for Sri Lankans would be suspended for three months and the processing of asylum claims for Afghan nationals would be suspended for six months.
Mr Evans said the suspensions would be reviewed at the end of their respective periods.
He said asylum seekers on Christmas Island would continue to have their claims processed and were not subject to the suspension.
Mr Fazal said he believed there needed to be more communication between the Federal Government and asylum seekers to determine an outcome.
“One big problem of the government is that they are not consulting those people who know what is going on in relation to this problem and how it should be resolved,” he said.
“There are some people who are genuine asylum seekers and there are people who are claiming to be eligible but are coming into Australia for other interests,” he said.
“Now it is the government’s job to work out who is who – and this can be done through the right approach and consultation with the right people.”