Afghan boatpeople ‘zero chance’

The Morrison government is moving to counter any revival of the people-smuggling trade sparked by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

A child evacuee from Kabul, Afghanistan transits to her room at a temporary camp in Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East. Picture; ADF

The Morrison government is moving to counter any revival of the people-smuggling trade sparked by the Taliban’s takeover of ­Afghanistan, with Home ­Affairs Minister Karen Andrews fronting an advertising campaign warning Afghans they have “zero chance” of settling in Australia if they try to come by boat.

From Monday, a social media video campaign – starring Ms Andrews – warning Afghan asylum-seekers against travelling by boat will launch in 11 countries and be delivered in 20 languages.

There are concerns within the Department of Home Affairs that people-smugglers in Indonesia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are taking advantage of the government’s announcement of 3000 humanitarian visas for Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

The government’s push to stop boat arrivals comes as it faces criticism it acted too late to help hundreds of citizens and support staff in Afghanistan, and former prime minister Julia Gillard calls for women in the war-torn country facing Taliban oppression to be prioritised.

Ms Andrews said the social media campaign would make the government’s policy clear to anyone trying to come to Australia via boat.

“The Australian government has granted more than 8500 visas to Afghans under Australia’s humanitarian program since 2013. These people arrived legally, on a valid visa issued by the Australian government,” she told The ­Australian.

“Australia’s policy is clear: no one who arrives in Australia ­illegally by boat will ever settle here. Australia’s strong border protection policies have not – and will not – change.”

Ms Andrews was briefed last Friday by Operation Sovereign Borders commander Mark Hill on how the Australian Defence Forces would counter any revived boat trade.

There are 8500 Afghan refugees registered with the UN in ­Indonesia, the main port for ­people-smugglers headed to Australia, and it is understood at least 8000 more Afghan asylum-seekers who are not registered are particularly vulnerable to people-smugglers.

Scott Morrison said last week the 3000 humanitarian visas for Afghan refugees was a “floor, not a ceiling” but the Prime Minister is under pressure to deliver up to 20,000 spots for Afghans following the fall of Kabul.

Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said on Sunday the government’s criteria for humanitarian visas were not clear enough and confusing both asylum-seekers and their families in Australia.

“These 3000 humanitarian places, what are the criteria? What form are you supposed to use? What application process? My office has been in contact over ­recent days with legal services and refugee community groups who aren’t getting any information ­either,” Senator Keneally said.

“These are the groups that are set up to provide advice to help people fill out the forms. They’re not getting information from the government. There’s so much confusion going on right now … And the government acts like this is some usual process. They’re responding to a humanitarian ­crisis in an emergency with the usual bureaucratic process.”

Ms Gillard said on Sunday she was “distressed” by the Taliban’s victory over Afghan forces, given their history of persecuting and oppressing women.

“Given all that has been sacrificed, including by Australians during the war in Afghanistan, the global community must continue to press for peace and progress for the Afghan people with a key focus on the rights of women and girls,” she said.

“I also urge governments to continue to support the evac­uation of at-risk ­civilians in ­Afghanistan.”