ABC – Hopes rise for asylum seeker deal
Australia and Indonesia are believed to be close to finalising a deal which the Federal Government hopes will convince the 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers aboard the Oceanic Viking to leave the Customs ship and go ashore.
Three weeks after being rescued from their stricken boat, the asylum seekers are still refusing to go ashore and be processed in Indonesia. But AM has been told a three-pronged offer is being finalised.
It is understood asylum claims would be processed faster and resettlement fast-tracked.
Those found to be refugees could go to Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Tamils already deemed refugees would be resettled first. More
Bloomberg – Sri Lankan Refugees May Get Australian Agreement, Herald Says
A group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers refusing to disembark from an Australian ship that took them to Indonesia may reach an agreement to resettle in Australia and end the standoff within days, the Sydney Morning Herald said.
The 78 Sri Lankans, already found to be legitimate refugees, may win a guarantee of swift resettlement in Australia, the newspaper said, citing refugee advocate Paris Aristotle.
An agreement may be reached before a Nov. 13 deadline set by Indonesia, it said, citing Aristotle.
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