Yuko Narushima; 5/3/10
Visas were granted to 60 refugees on Christmas Island this week, as another boat of asylum seekers was intercepted off Ashmore Island. The Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O’Connor, said a boat carrying 47 people had been detected late on Wednesday, about 30 kilometres north-west of Ashmore Reef. The news came as the refugees granted visas prepared to fly to the mainland. The opposition said the timing of the two events – beds at the expanding detention centre becoming available just as they were required by new arrivals – was suspicious.
See: http://www.smh.com.au/national/refugees-get-visas-just-as-another-boat-arrives-20100304-plss.html
Tags: Australia, Indonesia, Migrants & Refugees