Australia: Move to abandon support

An Australian Federal Opposition MP is calling on the Labor Party to abandon its support for the offshore processing of asylum seekers.

Melissa Parke, a member of the party’s left faction, plans to move a motion at the next Caucus meeting urging Labor to no longer support the transfer of asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

She will cite a number of reasons, including the deadly riots on Manus Island in February and the lack of independent oversight of the two detention centres.

The former United Nations lawyer will argue offshore processing violates Australia’s international obligations and is inconsistent with Labor’s commitments to treat people seeking protection with dignity and compassion. The motion will be supported by the former Speaker Anna Burke.

Labor abolished offshore processing in 2008 but reintroduced the policy in 2010 after a record number of boat arrivals.

Meanwhile, the Australian High Court challenge to the Manus Island detention centre has heard laws establishing the facility are constitutionally invalid.

The court on Friday heard the process of declaration is at odds with several sections of the Constitution, with regards to aliens, immigration and external powers.

The case will continue this week when the government will argue its laws are constitutionally sound.