Media Releases

25 November 2011

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) would like to add its voice to those who commend the Gillard Government for granting bridging visas to an initial group of asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat. Following health, security and identity checks, they will be able live in the community whilst their refugee claims are finalised.

CEO of the MIA, Maurene Horder, said today that she believes it is much more humane that asylum seekers who arrive by boat be treated the same way as those who arrive by plane, and that they should be given bridging visas instead of being held in detention for long periods. Ms Horder welcomed today’s announcement as the beginning of the process of moving towards a single system for assessing people’s refugee claims.

“We are pleased to see the government acting on this and would like to see as many people as possible granted bridging visas and removed from detention as quickly as possible to help solve the alarming mental health issues for detainees.”

It is the MIA's position, as laid out in its submission earlier this year to a parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s Immigration Detention Network, that onshore processing of all humanitarian entrants would be in the best interest of asylum seekers and the Australian public alike.

“Offshore processing of refugees is an expensive use of public funds,” said Ms Horder. “Moreover, the detention of refugee applicants while processing their claims is a burden on these vulnerable individuals and goes against Australian values as a fair society. Furthermore it is very costly.”

Ms Horder also welcomed the government’s intention to make greater use of community-based alternatives such as bridging visas and community detention, as well as giving all asylum seekers access to the same refugee status determination process. This should lead to a fairer and more efficient system.