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Pressure on Abbott over boat people policy

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Fri, 22 May 2015, 9:17AM
Rohingya boat people off the coast of Malaysia (Getty Images)
Rohingya boat people off the coast of Malaysia (Getty Images)

Pressure on Abbott over boat people policy

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Fri, 22 May 2015, 9:17AM

A refugee lobby group will today call on the Australian government to end the plight of thousands of asylum seekers in southeast Asia and offer them resettlement.

Protesters will take to Brisbane's King George Square to show their support for the refugees who are fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh, among other areas.

But they can't expect any help from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who says it's Myanmar's job to help them.

"We have stopped the boats and we are not going to do anything that will encourage people to get on boats."

Australia's closed door policy on boat people remains steadfast. Tony Abbott has ruled out re-settling Rohingya refugees left stranded off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

"The culprit is Burma, because it is Burma where there is an issue."

Myanmar as it's now called, has indicated some willingness to cooperate, as long as refugees can prove they're from Myanmar.

However, it is doubtful the Rohingya would be willing to return to Myanmar, as they are a persecuted minority in the country.

US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said America is prepared to help and will take a good look at a proposal on the table.

"We're prepared to take a lead role on any UN agency or multi country effort to resettle the most vulnerable."

 

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