Refugee issues in the media

This page contains a digest of recent media coverage of refugee issues. Content is updated at the beginning of each month.

Past media summaries can be found in our monthly bulletins.

Inclusion in this summary does not imply that RCOA agrees with the article’s content or vouches for its accuracy.

Media coverage during January 2012

Clampdown on media is ominous
The Australian Communications and Media Authority's new guidelines have the stench of political interference attached. The first consequences of the new "privacy" restrictions on broadcasters have become immediately clear - television networks must no longer film asylum seekers arriving on our shores by boat. (The Herald Sun, 4 January)
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/clampdown-on-media-is-ominous/story-e6frfhqf-1226235973003

Indonesia change: more may take boats
Tony Abbott has warned Indonesia that changes to its visa system could create a problem for Australia if the plans facilitated an easier passage for asylum-seekers to Indonesia. The Indonesian government has proposed devolving responsibility for the granting of visas in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from Jakarta to diplomatic missions in both countries. (The Australian, 5 January) http://bit.ly/yErK0j

Sri Lankan boat adds to visa concerns
The interception by the Sri Lankan navy of a group of asylum-seekers bound for Australia has heightened concerns that Indonesia's plans to relax its visa restrictions could lead to a sharp spike in the number of boatpeople attempting the hazardous journey. (The Australian, 9 January) http://bit.ly/wBjrF0

Indonesia, Australia boost people-smuggling fight
Jakarta and Canberra on Monday agreed to boost their fight against people-smuggling, amid concerns that Indonesia's planned visa policies may result in a surge of asylum-seekers to Australia. Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd met his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa in Jakarta to discuss joint efforts to combat the growing number of illegal migrants using Indonesia as a springboard to Australia by boat, often in perilous journeys that end in tragedy. (AFP, 9 January) http://www.mysinchew.com/node/68778

New wave of asylum seeker boats raises Aussie ire
The asylum seekers who head to Australia in rickety fishing boats are just a trickle in the global flow of refugees. But given the top-tier debate they have ignited in Australia, they might as well be an invading armada. Paul Power, of the Refugee Council of Australia advocacy group, said the prominence of the asylum seeker debate is difficult to rationalise. (AP, 11 January)
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501712_162-57356733/new-wave-of-asylum-seeker-boats-raises-aussie-ire/

Asylum visa plan to ease overcrowding makes a slow start
A program to ease the strain on overcrowded detention centres by placing boatpeople in the community has issued barely 100 bridging visas, despite more than 2000 asylum-seekers having arrived here by boat since the policy shift was announced. (The Australian, 13 January) http://bit.ly/xQOhVo

Labor tries to put holes in Tony Abbott's boats plan
Julia Gillard has warned Tony Abbott's "reckless" pledge to turn back asylum seeker boats will put Australian lives at risk. The Prime Minister yesterday attacked the Liberal leader's renewed threat to enlist the Australian Navy to turn back boats to Indonesia, a policy that critics say could prompt asylum seekers to jump into the sea or sabotage boats and force the navy to rescue them. (The Sunday Telegraph, 22 January)
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/labor-tries-to-put-holes-in-tony-abbotts-boats-plan/story-e6freuy9-1226250291194

Chris Bowen reveals move to shift policy on asylum seekers
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen agreed to consider a controversial return to temporary protection visas, as demanded by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, in an effort to break the asylum seeker deadlock. But the Coalition rejected the offer, exposing Mr Abbott to accusations he didn't want to end the stalemate. (The Daily Telegraph, 25 January) http://bit.ly/AEyvKN

Bowen reveals Nauru's $1.7b price tag
The Immigration Minister has released to the ABC the full costings report from his Department about re-opening the offshore processing centres on the Pacific island of Nauru. Chris Bowen yesterday revealed that the cost of setting up the detention centres would be nearly $2 billion over four years - much more than previously estimated. (ABC Sydney, 25 January)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-25/govt-releases-nauru-costings/3791948/?site=sydney

Australian of the Year Rush pushes for asylum seeker mini-series
Australian of the Year Geoffrey Rush has urged local writers to tell the stories of asylum seekers who try to make the perilous journey to Australia by boat. The multi-award winning actor on Wednesday was named Australian of the Year at a ceremony outside Parliament House in Canberra in front of 10,000.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/refugee-appeals-cost-millions/story-e6freoof-1226256227449

Get tough on arrivals without papers: Opposition
The federal opposition has seized on a media report that thousands of asylum seekers are ditching their passports before they get to Australia, saying the government needs to get tough with those not carrying documentation. (AAP, 30 January)
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8410762/get-tough-on-arrivals-without-papers-oppn