The Abbott government has just agreed to accept an additional 12,000 refugees from persecuted minorities, and provide $44 million in financial aid to help deal with the refugee crisis.
.@TonyAbbottMHR confirms Australia will accept an additional 12,000 refugees from Syria-Iraq conflict. #auspol pic.twitter.com/oAAQcDFdlv
— Dan Conifer (@DanConifer) September 9, 2015
The refugees will be given permanent resettlement in Australia.
Earlier today, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton promised that Aussies would be “proud” and “impressed” with Australia‘s formal response.
The government had previously indicated that it would prioritise Christian refugees. However, Christopher Pyne said that religion will not come into play: “Religion is not the issue here, the issue is persecuted ethnic and religious minorities. We have a colour-blind policy in terms of humanitarian support.”
That being said, Cory Bernardi did feel the need to announce that “the most vulnerable people in the Middle East are persecuted Christians, women, children, and families.” So, everybody except single non-Christian men?
Related:
@GChristensenMP If you have a look at yourself in the mirror you’ll realise how easy it is for people to pose as Christians.
— Graham Perrett (@GrahamPerrettMP) September 8, 2015
Ah, nvm, apparently it includes Muslims:
Re new refugee intake @TonyAbbottMHR says”persecuted minorities” includes muslims. @abcnews #auspol
— Eliza Borrello (@ElizaBorrello) September 9, 2015
Quickly following this announcement, Tony Abbott also confirmed that Australia will be extending air strikes against the Islamic State from Iraq to Syria.
In a statement, he said:
“It follows Iraq’s requests for international assistance to strike Daesh strongholds, and a formal request from the Obama Administration.”
Image: via GetUp!
via ABC.
