The Australian Government has lifted the suspension of processing Sri Lankan asylum claims, with country of origin reporting indicating the situation in the country is stabilising.

The decision yesterday to lift the suspension was based in part on new UNHCR refugee guidelines which suggest the situation in Sri Lanka is improving.

It is likely fewer Sri Lankans will be granted refugee status in Australia, with those not owed Australia’s protection being returned.

Citing the UNHCR’s revised eligibility guidelines on Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, said that acceptance rates for Sri Lankan asylum seekers are likely to fall.

“Instead of automatically presuming that particular groups in Sri Lanka are refugees, the UNCHR states that all asylum claims must now be considered on a case-by-case basis,” Ms Gillard said.

The Prime Minister issued a warning to Sri Lankans who might be considering attempting the journey to Australia.

“Do not pay a people smuggler, do not risk your life, only to arrive in Australian waters and find that far, far more likely than not you will be quickly sent home by plane,” Ms Gillard said.

The Australian Government has also announced that it is in discussions with East Timor, New Zealand and UNHCR about establishing a regional processing centre for the purpose of receiving and processing irregular entrants to the region, including those who are intercepted trying to reach Australia by boat.

The Australian Government has committed to the development of a sustainable and effective regional framework, which would include the proposed regional processing centre.

“Arriving by boat would just be a ticket back to the regional processing centre,” Ms Gillard said.

Those arrivals sent to the centre and found to be refugees would be resettled in a third country, but not necessarily Australia. People deemed not to be refugees would be sent home.

Australia is determined to send a strong message that it will only accept genuine refugees through an orderly migration framework in the region.

By working closely with partner countries in the region, the Australian Government is committed to putting a stop to people smuggling.

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