Cambodia, Australia set to sign controversial refugee deal

An Australian government minister says only refugees who volunteer will be resettled in Cambodia as part of a new bilateral pact. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison will sign the pact with Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng in Phnom Penh on Friday to resettle refugees that Australia rejects. Morrison said on Thursday that Australia would support the refugees to build new lives in Cambodia. He says the deal, which has been criticized by human rights groups, places no cap on the number of refugees that Cambodia is prepared to accept for permanent settlement. The proposed deal has been roundly condemned by opposition politicians in both countries. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the refugees would be at high risk of abuse and exploitation in Cambodia.

We know that the levels of rape and sexual assault and sexual exploitation of girls and women in Cambodia are skyrocketing.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young

Meanwhile, the Federal Government looks set to succeed in its bid to bring back temporary visas for refugees, after striking a deal with the Palmer United Party. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has introduced legislation to Parliament to resurrect the Howard-era temporary protection visa (TPVs), and to create a new visa called a safe haven enterprise visa (SHEV). He has stressed that neither allow for permanent settlement in Australia and will, therefore, not act to encourage the people smuggling trade.

Asia-Pacific