Confusion over money offer

The financial bonus for Afghani asylum seekers to return home would not be extended to those from other countries, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

"We're just talking about Afghanistan at present," said Mr Howard.

The prime minister said the incentive, similar to that paid to the former Kosovar refugees, was possible only because of the end of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

He refused to put an amount on the bonus, although reports suggest it could be about $3,000 per family.

Mr Howard said he believed the bonus would only apply to about 1,100 Afghani asylum seekers who were currently in detention in Australia and Nauru.

The money would not be available for those who have had successful claims for refugee status.

Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock has suggested the payment could be extended to as many as 3,500, which would include those already on temporary visas in Australia.

"I see it applying to 1,100. I haven't spoken to Phil about that, " said Mr Howard.

No amount of money could convince some Afghans to return home, a lawyer for Woomera detainees said today.

Prime Minister John Howard has offered to pay Afghan asylum seekers to resettle in their homeland in a deal similar to the arrangement made with Kosovars following Operation Safe Haven.

The offer was announced in New York yesterday after Mr Howard met with Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Kaizir.

But lawyer for Woomera asylum seekers, Rob McDonald, said most Afghans had an understandable fear of persecution if they returned home, despite the defeat of the Taliban regime.

"At the end of the day, they do have a wellfounded fear of persecution in our opinion and that would still exist in this day and they actually fear for their lives if they returned home," Mr McDonald told Seven Sunrise.

"So obviously no amount of money is going to compensate them for that."

Only a handful, if any, would take up the offer, Mr McDonald said.

"I'd say if any do say yes, it would be a very small percentage."

The lawyer said most Afghans were satisfied with the promises made by the Immigration Detention Advisory Group for speedy processing of their visa applications.

Meanwhile, Mr McDonald denied allegations by Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock that lawyers were inciting detainee protests.

"That's absolutely absurd, as professionals it would be against all our ethical rules if we'd done that," Mr McDonald said.

"We're lawyers, we represent people's rights, if somebody says to us we're on hunger strike and we're not stopping and please go and tell the Department of Immigration and the world that message for us, we really have no choice."

A 16-day hunger strike at South Australia's Woomera detention centre ended earlier this week, with another protest action continuing at Western Australia's Curtin centre.


	GOVERNMENT NEWS \| home Confusion over money offer The Age Friday 1 February 2002 The financial bonus for Afghani asylum seekers to return home would not be extended to those from other countries, Prime Minister John Howard said today. "We're just talking about Afghanistan at present," said Mr Howard. The prime minister said the incentive, similar to that paid to the former Kosovar refugees, was possible only because of the end of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. He refused to put an amount on the bonus, although reports suggest it could be about $3,000 per family. Mr Howard said he believed the bonus would only apply to about 1,100 Afghani asylum seekers who were currently in detention in Australia and Nauru. The money would not be available for those who have had successful claims for refugee status. Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock has suggested the payment could be extended to as many as 3,500, which would include those already on temporary visas in Australia. "I see it applying to 1,100. I haven't spoken to Phil about that, " said Mr Howard. Not a matter of money: refugees No amount of money could convince some Afghans to return home, a lawyer for Woomera detainees said today. Prime Minister John Howard has offered to pay Afghan asylum seekers to resettle in their homeland in a deal similar to the arrangement made with Kosovars following Operation Safe Haven. The offer was announced in New York yesterday after Mr Howard met with Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Kaizir. But lawyer for Woomera asylum seekers, Rob McDonald, said most Afghans had an understandable fear of persecution if they returned home, despite the defeat of the Taliban regime. "At the end of the day, they do have a wellfounded fear of persecution in our opinion and that would still exist in this day and they actually fear for their lives if they returned home," Mr McDonald told Seven Sunrise. "So obviously no amount of money is going to compensate them for that." Only a handful, if any, would take up the offer, Mr McDonald said. "I'd say if any do say yes, it would be a very small percentage." The lawyer said most Afghans were satisfied with the promises made by the Immigration Detention Advisory Group for speedy processing of their visa applications. Meanwhile, Mr McDonald denied allegations by Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock that lawyers were inciting detainee protests. "That's absolutely absurd, as professionals it would be against all our ethical rules if we'd done that," Mr McDonald said. "We're lawyers, we represent people's rights, if somebody says to us we're on hunger strike and we're not stopping and please go and tell the Department of Immigration and the world that message for us, we really have no choice." A 16-day hunger strike at South Australia's Woomera detention centre ended earlier this week, with another protest action continuing at Western Australia's Curtin centre. AAP home