As US deal end nears, Morrison government must accept New Zealand’s offer to resettle refugees

The Human Rights Law Centre is today calling on the Morrison government to accept New Zealand’s longstanding offer to resettle refugees from Australia’s offshore detention regime.

The call comes as the resettlement deal with the United States draws to an end. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden confirmed the resettlement offer while Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the country.

Since 2013, the New Zealand government has repeatedly restated its offer to resettle 150 people a year from Australia’s offshore detention centres.

Approximately 250 people are still held by the Australian government in Nauru and Papua New Guinea, with no certainty regarding their future.

David Burke, Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre said:

“As the resettlement deal with the United States draws to a close, there is simply no reason why Australia should not accept an offer to provide a safe place for people to rebuild their lives. Refusing to do so would be simply cruelty for cruelty's sake.

“This policy has taken an unthinkable toll on the lives of thousands of people who merely asked for a place where they could be safe from danger. Instead the Australian government has exposed men, women and children to years of violence, neglect and uncertainty.

“The Morrison government must urgently accept New Zealand's offer and bring to an end this dark chapter in our history.”

Media contact:

Evan Schuurman, Media and Communications Manager, 0406 117 937, evan.schuurman@hrlc.org.au