A person with a 49 per cent chance of being tortured could still be sent home under sweeping changes to the way asylum seekers are processed in Australia.

The change to the risk threshold for people seeking protection under international conventions against cruel and inhuman punishment, including torture, is part of a bill introduced into parliament by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday.

Mr Morrison said the government remained committed to abiding by its international obligations. The Federal Court had found the threshold for accepting a claim not to be returned was a 'real chance' of significant harm. However, the government believed the threshold should be 'more likely than not' - meaning there'd be a greater than 50 per cent chance that a person would suffer significant harm in the country they were returned to. 'This is an acceptable position which is open to Australia under international law and reflects the government's interpretation of Australia's obligations,' Mr Morrison said.

The change was one of several that toughens the way asylum seekers are assessed, whether they arrive by boat or plane. The changes would mean 'enhanced integrity measures and increased processing efficiency'. They include requiring applicants to establish their reasons for claiming refugee status at the start of the process and not wait until the review stage to present evidence. The Refugee Review Tribunal may draw an 'adverse inference' if it is given new evidence without a reasonable explanation.

Rules covering identity are being toughened. Mr Morrison said identity in the global age was increasingly complex to determine, and many people held dual or multiple nationalities, or tried to hide their real identity. Under the changes, a protection visa will usually be refused unless applicants provide documentary evidence of identity and nationality. Presenting bogus documents, or destroying documents, will usually mean visas are refused.

The bill also stops people being given protection visas just because they're related to someone who already holds such a visa. They should use the family migration 'pathway'.

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2014/06/25/govt-toughens-migration-assessment-rules.html?cid=BP_RSS_SN-TOPSTORIES_5_Govttoughensmigrationassessmentrules_250614

Good job!  :)

Is Julie going to go the country in question with a list of 100 questions??

Pass mark.....51/100

:D :D :D

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jun 25^th, 2014 at 6:36pm:

A person with a 49 per cent chance of being tortured could still be sent home under sweeping changes to the way asylum seekers are processed in Australia.

huh?