Coalition to Deny Asylum Seekers Government Help to Navigate Migration Process

[icyfroth]

A Coalition government will harshen its stance against asylum seekers even further, denying those who arrive by boat the right to free government advice and help with lodging appeals.

The Coalition's scrapping of taxpayer-funded assistance for asylum seekers, to be announced on Saturday by opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison, will save the budget about $100 million over the next four years.

Even under the harsh border protection policies of former prime minister John Howard, such protections existed for asylum seekers, but Mr Morrison said they had gotten ''out of hand'' with the ''deluge of boats'' under Labor.

An Abbott government would not prevent refugee advocates from giving free legal advice to asylum seekers, but taxpayers would no longer be paying for it, Mr Morrison said.

''This level of support is not provided to those who currently legally arrive in Australia,'' Mr Morrison said. ''They have to pay for it themselves.''

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Oooh Waaah!

That's going to put the cat amongst the pigeons.

[izabsmiling]

An Abbott government would not prevent refugee advocates from giving free legal advice to asylum seekers, but taxpayers would no longer be paying for it, Mr Morrison said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/coalition-denies-asylum-seekers-governm...

I don't want to pay for HIS (Tony Abbotts) charity work anymore

[**meep**]

How does this compare with reception standards for asylum seekers in other countries?  what are the UNHCR recommendations?

[i-need-a-martini]

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@**meep** wrote:

How does this compare with reception standards for asylum seekers in other countries?  what are the UNHCR recommendations?

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The UNHCR say that asylum seekers should have a right of appeal before being deported. They also say that asylum seekers have the right to work but Abbotts policy of only allowing them a TPV means they can't do that either.

Clearly he has no issues with stripping other human beings of their rights.

[***super_nova***]

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@polksaladallie wrote:

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    Even Palmer is more compassionate towards asylum seekers.

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Well, yes, but he will not have to deal with them.  I wonder if it is legal to deny proper advice & help; not all people will recieve free legal help.  It would depend if there are enough lawyers volunteering, and if they would find out about particular case.

Interersting that I have not heard about any boats arriving ot sinking, but why on the earth does  not Labor talk about it.  Then again, I did wonder why there was not a question in the debate on that issue, that would have given Rudd chance to bring attention to the lack of new arrivals.

[**meep**]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

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@**meep** wrote:

How does this compare with reception standards for asylum seekers in other countries?  what are the UNHCR recommendations?

---

The UNHCR say that asylum seekers should have a right of appeal before being deported. They also say that asylum seekers have the right to work but Abbotts policy of only allowing them a TPV means they can't do that either.

Clearly he has no issues with stripping other human beings of their rights.

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Thanks for that. 

I was hoping for something a little more specific in regards to free legal aid.  Examples from other countries as well. 

I don't think Abbott said asylum seekers should not have a right to appeal??

[izabsmiling]

possibly following the UK's lead ?

The effect of Legal Aid cuts on people seeking asylum

The impact of the reductions in legal aid funding and the limiting ofthe scope of legal aid
will have a significant impact on the ability of asylum seekers to argue article 8 as this is now
outside the scope of legal aid and so many asylum seekers and others on low incomes will
have no access to legal advice in a particularly complex area of law.Given Theresa Mays
crack down on the use of Article 8 and what she feels is its abuse it seems that as the
governmentis not preparedt o go so far as to repeal the Human Rights Act and withdraw

from the European Convention on Human Rights but are essentially doing this by the back
door by restricting access to justice to those on low incomes where Article 8 issues are 
raised.

http://www.refugee.org.uk/sites/default/files/legal_aid_cuts_on_people_seeking_asylum.pdf

[*crikey*mate*]

I'm in favour of assylum seekers, regardless of how they arrive, I say let em all in.

However, did you know that Legal Aide is in crisis and is now severely restricted? Not even all people "entitled" to access that can do so for their particular grievance. The belts have been tightened for everyone.

Even Australian Citizens are denied free legal advice and assistance in many circumstances.

[***super_nova***]

Yes, i am well aware of the crisis in Legal Aid, and that people are being sentenced without proper legal representation.  But asylum seekers are sent back to possible danger, even death, if they are unable to present their case properly.

Lets hope that the PNG deterrent works, and there will not be too many people needing legal help. 

[lakeland27]

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@crikey*mate wrote:

I'm in favour of assylum seekers, regardless of how they arrive, I say let em all in.

However, did you know that Legal Aide is in crisis and is now severely restricted? Not even all people "entitled" to access that can do so for their particular grievance. The belts have been tightened for everyone.

Even Australian Citizens are denied free legal advice and assistance in many circumstances.

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most of that legal aid funding is state based ? i know the legal aid cuts the napthine (formerly Ted ) liberals made are causing chaos, i have friends in the profession who are doing twice the pro-bono work they were a year ago. there is other anecdotal evidence that the cuts the LNP like to apply to legal aid cause chaos such as http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-30/victoria27s-justice-system-at-its-breaking-point/4925874?secti...

[purplecarrot-top]

Same in Queensland. Only the rich will be able to afford legal help.

I hope those that make the decisions can sleep at night. Doubt I would. But then they are well paid to make them.