Fed: Ellison says govt prepared to turn back Papuan boats

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2006
Fed: Ellison says govt prepared to turn back Papuan boats

Justice Minister CHRIS ELLISON says the federal government is prepared to force boats
carrying Papuan asylum seekers back to Indonesia.

Senator ELLISON says circumstances in which they intercept people will determine whether
the government will send boats carrying Papuans back.

And he says Australia will deal with Papuans as with any other illegal arrivals.

Relations have been strained between Indonesia and Australia over the granting of temporary
protection visas to 42 Papuan asylum seekers.

But Senator ELLISON rejects claims that forcing a refugee back to a place of persecution
is a breach of international laws to which Australia is a signatory.





The comment's in an interview with Senator ELLISON WILL .. which will be broadcast
on ABC Radio National at midday today.

AAP RTV ag/wz/smt

KEYWORD: PAPUA ELLISON (SYDNEY)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.