Australia's Howard faces revolt over asylum changes
CANBERRA, June 14 (Reuters) Australian Prime Minister John Howard faced a revolt from within his own ranks today over plans to send asylum seekers who arrive illegally to offshore camps.
The new laws, which Howard wants parliament to pass by Friday of next week, has been criticised by refugee advocates, Amnesty International and opposition parties as an attempt to placate Indonesia.
It follows a diplomatic row between Australia and Indonesia after Canberra granted asylum in March to 42 people who arrived on the remote north coast from Indonesia's Papua province.
''This legislation is about pretending Australia has no border and dumping people in other countries,'' opposition Labor immigration spokesman Tony Burke told reporters.
''We already knew John Howard was willing to listen to Indonesian politicians. We now get to find out whether he is willing to listen to Australian politicians.'' A report by a majority-government Senate committee raised concerns about the lack of detail on how the new laws would be implemented and said the bill should not proceed.
The changes mean asylum seekers arriving on the mainland would no longer have access to Australia's refugee processes, and would have claims dealt with as if they were in U.N. refugee camps.
Previously, asylum seekers who landed on Australia's mainland were allowed to stay in the country if granted refugee status. Under the new offshore system, a successful claimant could be accepted or rejected by any number of countries.
A group of government members were due to meet Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone today to discuss their concerns about the immigration changes.
''I think it's clear that there's a number of backbenchers who are very concerned about the proposed legislation and we hope that we can also find the opportunity to discuss it with the prime minister,'' government politician Bruce Baird said.
''I'm sure the prime minister is mindful of our relationship with Indonesia and we're mindful of that as well. But the bottom line is it is our immigration laws that are going to be changed.'' Indonesia's ambassador to Australia was recalled following Australia's decision to grant the Papuans asylum and he only returned to Canberra at the weekend. Howard is due to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the end of June.
Papuan independence activists have campaigned for more than 30 years to split from Indonesia, while a low-level rebellion has also simmered. Human rights groups accuse Indonesia of widespread abuses there, charges Jakarta denies.
Jakarta sees Australia's acceptance of the Papuans as giving credence to their claims and supporting Papuan independence.
REUTERS DH RAI0713