Acknowledge the special needs of individuals and families forced by tyranny and political oppression to flee to Australia from former homelands. The DLP calls for a greater public emphasis on meeting our humanitarian obligations to welcome and resettle those who seek asylum on our shores.
Increase funding for permanent resettlement programs for refugees and asylum seekers.
Condemn official propaganda that treats off-shore asylum seekers as “illegals” and “queue-jumpers” before their lawful claims for refugee status and asylum are heard and determined.
Urgently expedite the processing of off-shore asylum applications through a level of funding that matches the amounts spent on immigration detention centres. The funding should progressively increase until the back-log of applications is cleared, the refugees are resettled in Australia and those without valid claim for asylum are promptly despatched from our shores.