Opinion - Churches and the Malaysian solution

This proposal involves people trading by the government of a democratic country committed to the rule of law. People trading is wrong even when part of a broader suite of policies designed to arrest trans-border flows and to ameliorate slightly some pressures on other governments accommodating large numbers of asylum seekers. Even if it works, it is wrong.
Any proper assessment of the proposal requires a consideration of the case of the bona fide refugees sent from Australia to Malaysia. They have no right to settle in Malaysia, no rights to work, education or welfare while their claims are undetermined, and no guarantee that their claims will be determined in a timely, transparent manner.
If the transfer to Malaysia is appropriate, so too would be a return to Indonesia, given that Australia has arrangements in place with the International Organisation for Migration and UNHCR there for some minimal accommodation of entitlements while awaiting status determination.

We would essentially be deciding that protection is now available in Indonesia or Malaysia and that all persons heading for Australia are therefore engaged in secondary movement, not direct flight.
This is not part of a regional solution to a regional problem. At most it is a bilateral attempt at solving an Australian problem. Malaysia has 200,000 people to care for. That must be part of the so-called regional problem and solution.
The one-off acceptance of 1000 refugees each year for four years is no durable contribution to that part of the regional problem.

FULL STORY Churches and the Malaysian solution (Eureka Street)