Regardless of the Malaysia Solution, there is a significant argument for engaging with transit countries in our region that bear the burden of hosting far more asylum seekers than Australia does, writes immigration adviser Caz Coleman.
Australian immigration
Tony Nahal deserves to stay — whatever the tabloids say
Antoun (Tony) Nahal, his wife, mother-in-law and six-year-old daughter face deportation to Egypt as early as this week — despite the fact that daughter Rita was born here and the others have lived in Australia since 2004.
Our shrinking asylum seeker problem
While Australia’s asylum seeker numbers fall, Labor is ensuring it will always lose the debate by remaining wedded to mandatory detention.
Why it’s not safe to go home: one reluctant Tamil’s story
In July the Australian government announced that, with the resumption of its processing of Tamil asylum applications, many would face deportation in line with its view that conditions had improved in Sri Lanka, writes freelance journalist Catherine Wilson.
Crikey Says: Another immigration debate
Over the ocean, another nation of immigrants is having a conversation about … immigration.
Is Abbott’s immigration target a threat to students?
Tony Abbott has won headlines for his embrace of a net overseas migration target, but real-world consequences are likely to linger much longer for marginal groups such as the international student community, demographers say.
Abbott tries to make ‘Little Australia’ his own
Tony Abbott announced his immigration policy over the weekend, promising to dramatically reduce net overseas migration during his first term. This is misguided policy designed to seize the smaller Australia position from Julia Gillard, writes Paul Kelly.
Flint: How will a Rudd government handle immigration?
Immigration is one of the most important responsibilities of the federal government. If it is administered badly, it can cause irreversible and serious damage to a nation. But this crucial question is being largely ignored, writes David Flint.
I is for incompetence: Andrews in a muddle again
Kevin Andrews’ comments in today’s Age about the unavoidably long delay in processing eight Burmese asylum seekers on Nauru won’t help to dispel the cries of incompetency that continue to dog the Immigration Minister, writes Sophie Black.
