STRONG CASE FOR AUSTRALIA TO TAKE MORE REFUGEES FROM MALAYSIA, SAYS OFFICIAL

MELBOURNE, June 28 (Bernama) -- Australia's Opposition immigration spokesman
Scott Morrison says there are strong arguments for Australia increasing its
intake of refugees from Malaysia.

Speaking to the Australian Associated Press (AAP) after four days in Kuala
Lumpur where he met government officials, refugees and representatives from
refugee groups, Morrison said it was impossible for Canberra to guarantee that
the human rights of asylum seekers sent to Malaysia would be protected.

"The ability to put any protection in place on the ground ... I think will
be very problematic," he said yesterday.

"Whatever assurances are given, and whether it's the UNHCR (United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees) or anyone else, I just found a real cynicism on
the ground about what real effect (the assurances) would give to people's
protection on the ground."

In the proposed deal with Malaysia, Australia will send 800 asylum seekers,
mainly boat people, to Malaysia in return for Canberra accepting 4,000 bona-fide
refugees.

"We've been clear all along that our arrangement with Malaysia would respect
the human rights of the asylum seekers transferred, and we've been clear all
along too that we would take 4,000 more refugees from Malaysia to Australia,"
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was quoted by AAP as saying.

Morrison said he was supportive of Australia accepting more refugees from
Malaysia.

"I think there are quite sound arguments as to why you would increase your
intake from Malaysia, not in return for any deal, but because of the genuine
claims of the people that are here," he said.
-- BERNAMA