The federal government are rushing to close a loophole in the offshore processing legislation, which may deem the running and funding of offshore detention centres illegal.
Wow. Govt has discovered a loophole in offshore processing legislation and needs a bill passed by the end of the day. Labor caucus to meet.
— Latika M Bourke (@latikambourke) June 24, 2015
The ABC are reporting that Prime Minister Tony Abbott called Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten last night to ask for his help, saying that the whole network could collapse.
The federal government discovered the loophole in the former Labor government’s legislation, and are urgently trying to pass a bill before Thursday, when Parliament rises for the six-week winter break.
Labor convened a special caucus meeting at Parliament House to discuss. Reports suggested it was likely they would support legislation, and journalist Latika Bourke just tweeted that these beliefs held true.
Labor caucus has resolved to support the government’s amendment on regional processing. @smh
— Latika M Bourke (@latikambourke) June 24, 2015
A case currently before the high court, brought by the Human Rights Lawyer Centre (HRLC), challenges the lawfulness of offshore detention arrangements at Nauru.
“The Australian government is effectively detaining people in Nauru and Manus Island and it doesn’t have any legal authority to do so,” said HRLC director Hugh de Krester to Fairfax.
Under the current Migration Act, the government cannot spend money on state programs outside Australia’s jurisdiction. This is clearly not the current case. Fairfax reports that the government has issued a $2.1 billion contract to Transfield services alone to manage the centres.
The ABC is reporting that it’s likely related to the ten asylum seekers who launched a High Court challenge of legality of the system last month.
It’s no surprise that The Greens oppose any measure which will negatively affect asylum seekers, with Senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticising both parties.
Shameful move by Abbott & Labor to smash through new Bill today to circumvent high court over illegal funding for the Nauru detention centre
— Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) June 24, 2015
Sarah Hanson-Young on emergency offshore detention legislation: ‘Labor has got grow a spine, stand up when it matters and today it matters.’
— Karen Barlow (@KJBar) June 24, 2015
Moral bankruptcy is the order of the day as Labor & Liberal ram laws to detain children on Nauru thought the Senate in 24hrs
— Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) June 24, 2015
If the government does not pass legislative action before Parliament rises on Thursday, the offshore system could be declared illegal by the High Court during the winter break.
Photo: Stefan Postles via Getty Images
via Fairfax / The Guardian / ABC
