Refugees Arrive in Australia from Manus
Media Release - DPS 62/2002
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs confirmed today that 18 refugees from the immigration processing centre on Manus, had arrived in Australia.
The arrival is in line with the Australian Government's commitment to take its fair share of people who are residing in the off-shore processing centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea and who are found to be refugees.
The group comprising five adult women, two adult men and 11 children arrived in Cairns before transiting to Brisbane and final destinations in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
All members of the group have family members in Australia.
"The resettlement of further refugees from the offshore processing centres is under consideration by the Department and other countries," a departmental spokesperson said.
"These arrivals join 116 people who have already come to Australia from the offshore processing centres."
A number of countries have indicated a willingness to consider cases for resettlement. New Zealand has already resettled 59 people from Nauru.
Further movements to Australia and other countries are expected over the next few months.
All 18 refugees have been granted three-year temporary protection visas.
"This visa is available to people who have abandoned or by-passed effective protection in a country of first asylum and travelled to another country to seek a preferred migration option," the spokesperson said.
23 August 2002
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