Aid groups question asylum seeker policy

Aid groups are questioning how Labor's new asylum seeker policy differs from the
former Howard government's Pacific Solution.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants to set up a regional processing centre in East
Timor that would process any asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat.
The three-month suspension on processing Sri Lankan refugee claims will also be
lifted, under the new policy outlined on Tuesday.
Oxfam Australia says it is unclear how the policy is any different to offshore
processing arrangements under the former Liberal government.
"We are concerned Ms Gillard is using new language to describe an old approach which
did not work," spokesman Andrew Hewett said in a statement.
"The Pacific Solution cost Australian taxpayers a billion dollars and left men,
women and children in extremely traumatic circumstances."
The agency says the government must explain whether women and children will be
detained, have access to support and how much will it cost the government.
Amnesty International Australia says any "re-badged" Pacific Solution is unacceptable."
"It is a violation of Australia's international obligations on how to process asylum
claims," director Claire Mallinson said in a statement.
Both groups criticised Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's plan to reinstate the Pacific
Solution and temporary protection visas as well as turning back asylum seekers who
deliberately destroy identification documents.
"People fleeing dangerous situations or persecution cannot be expected to arrive
with their personal papers in order," Ms Mallinson said.
"It is unrealistic and wrongheaded to make such demands on vulnerable people just to
score political points."