The Australian government has sent out a stern message to those associated with people smuggling as well as those looking at illegally entering the country by boat. Illegal migrants have been told that those arriving by boat without a visa would never be allowed to settle in Australia.
Under a new policy, all unauthorised arrivals to Australia since July 19 would be sent to Papua New Guinea for assessment, and if found to a refugees would be settled there or would be sent back to their country. The policy, announced by the prime ministers of Australia and Papua New Guinea on July 19, applies to men, women and kids, including Lankans travelling to Australia from South India, they said.
“Australia and Papua New Guinea are committed to curbing people smuggling and reducing lives lost at sea,” said Stuart Campbell, Australia’s acting consul-general to south India.