We’re willing to help Europe stop boats: Peter Dutton

A a long-term solution must centre on ­resolving bloody conflicts across the Islamic world, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says.

Australia is willing to help ­Europe implement “sensible measures” to stop asylum-seeker boats on the Mediterranean, but a long-term solution must centre on ­resolving bloody conflicts across the Islamic world, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says.

As activists accused Operation Sovereign Borders of re­directing refugees towards the more treacherous path to ­Europe, Mr Dutton rejected suggestions that Australia could meaningfully alleviate pressure on Italy by increasing its humanitarian intake.

The humanitarian intake — 13,750 and rising to 18,750 by 2018-19 — includes special ­allo­cations for 2200 Syrians, 2200 Iraqis and 1000 women at risk.

“It’s a very difficult situation as it is for the Europeans to deal with, as it has been for a number of years for our country, but there are sensible measures that can be put in place and I have no doubt that the Euro­pean Union is examining all of that now,” Mr Dutton told Sky News.

Mr Dutton said ending the conflicts in Libya, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan would stem the flow of genuine refugees.

Mr Dutton’s spokeswoman said: “Australia is willing to share its experiences with our inter­national partners if they wish.”

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said: “The Coalition’s ‘stop the boats’ slogan was just an ultimatum to asylum-seekers to ‘die somewhere else’ backed up by the military — and ‘dying somewhere else’ may be exactly what’s happening.”

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said: “The only way you can stop the deaths is in fact to stop the boats. That’s why it is so ­urgent the countries of Europe adopt very strong policies that will end the people-smuggling trade across the Mediterranean.”