Transcript - ABC PM program

ABC Radio – PM Program
Monday 20 April 2009

Temporary Protection Visas – AFP advice to government

ALEX KIRK: All the Opposition’s election policies are being reviewed. Heading that Review is Kevin Andrews, the former Immigration Minister. He says that unless stated otherwise, the election policies stand.

KEVIN ANDREWS: That means that we remain in favour of Temporary Protection Visas

ALEX KIRK: And is it your view that Temporary Protection Visas should remain part of the Opposition’s policy?

KEVIN ANDREWS: It is certainly my personal view. I think that a package of measures that the previous government put in place had a significant impact in slowing and reducing quite markedly the number of boats coming to Australia.

ALEX KIRK: The government points out that the Coalition didn’t raise any objections when Temporary Protection Visas were being abolished. Kevin Andrews says that that is easily explained.

KEVIN ANDREWS: There’s a range of things that governments being elected put in place that Oppositions don’t necessarily jump up and down and oppose at the time.

. . . .

ALEX KIRK: At the same time, the Opposition is also pursuing Labor over reports that the Federal Police and other agencies advised the government that a change in its immigration policies would lead to more boat loads of asylum seekers. The Immigration Minister is keeping his comments brief.

SENATOR CHRIS EVANS I have no knowledge of that and I haven’t seen it.

ALEX KIRK: The Liberal’s Kevin Andrews says that’s not good enough.

KEVIN ANDREWS: Let the government say (a) the report doesn’t exist, or (b) there’s been no discussion about this report; they have done neither of those two things; they’ve evaded every direct question they’ve had in relation to this matter. I think they should come clean with the Australian people about it, and so that we all know up front.