The federal government is keeping mum on reports it’s considering resettling refugees in Kyrgyzstan.
The Central Asian country is on a list of nations authorities are weighing up sending those detained on Nauru and Manus Island, particularly Hazara Afghans, The Australian reports.
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“We are having conversations with other countries to support our offshore processing arrangements and when we’re in a position to make relevant announcements, the minister for immigration will do so,” cabinet minister Mathias Cormann told Sky News on Saturday.
The Greens say Australia’s asylum seeker policy is now verging on the ridiculous.
“What next? Are we going to send people to Mars?” Greens leader Richard Di Natale asked reporters in Melbourne.
“This is ridiculous that we would look for any option other than the most logical, humane and economically responsible option which is to ensure we process people here in Australia and, if they are found to be genuine refugees, that they are settled here.”
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