On Air Highlights
High Court quashes Australia’s asylum swap deal
31 August 2011
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The Australian High Court dealt a big blow to the Government’s asylum seeker policy on Wednesday, ruling 6-1 that asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat could not be sent to Malaysia under a controversial people swap deal.
The Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen reacted to the news by describing the court’s decision as a profound disappointment, but vowing to continue to work to break the people smugglers’ trade. He also said the Government had commissioned urgent legal advice on the decision’s implications on off-shore processing of Australia-bound asylum seekers.
For asylum seekers who faced deportation to Malaysia, the decision is a profound relief.
Tracee Hutchison spoke to refugee lawyer David Manne, who lodged the challenge on behalf of asylum seekers.
Presenter: Tracee Hutchison
Speaker: David Manne, refugee lawyer
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Related posts:
- Australian High Court Hears Asylum Deal Challenge
- High Court decision on Malaysia swap deal due at end of August
- Refugee lawyers argue Malaysia swap challenge before High Court
