Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce proposed an amendment to the Government’s Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006 which was due to be debated by the Senate on Monday, 14th August.

The proposed amendment would have given the Senate the opportunity to vote to disallow a decision made by the Minister for Immigration when exercising the power of ministerial discretion.

Senator Joyce said “The unfortunate reality is that our country cannot be home to everybody who arrives, or seeks to arrive, on our shores. Our processing arrangements need to effectively filter applications so as not to create huge social dislocation; thereby destroying the very society refugees are seeking to become part of.

“I accept the necessity for strong border protection measures, but, as a nation, we must be sympathetic to those refugees who display a genuine plight.”

The proposed amendment was not put to a vote as the Government decided not to pursue the bill through the Senate.