Stopping refugees from coming to Australia from NZ not a priority for government

Prime Minister Scott Morrison still has no appetite for reviving proposed laws banning resettled refugees from travelling from New Zealand to Australia.

Scott Morrison has no immediate plans to pursue laws banning refugees travelling from New Zealand to Australia.

The proposed laws are seen as a major hurdle in accepting New Zealand's offer to resettle refugees in offshore detention.

The government has long argued it will only consider the offer once it can block the refugees from entering Australia.
It now appears to have the necessary support from the opposition and crossbench parties, however, the Prime Minister does not consider the legislation a priority.

"Right now that is not a matter that we're currently progressing," Mr Morrison told reporters on Friday.

Australia is pursuing a refugee resettlement deal with the United States that is expected to conclude mid-next year.

The government is then expected to turn its attention to exploring the long-standing New Zealand offer.


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Published 6 December 2019 2:43pm
Updated 22 February 2022 6:50pm


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