‘Weak and dangerous’: Canberra reacts to Labor’s refugee policy

With a federal election just five months away, the two major parties are pulling out the big guns in a bid to entice voters, with Labor announcing a host of new policies at its annual conference in Adelaide at the weekend.

The policy pledge that has generated the most discussion is Labor’s vow to double Australia’s annual refugee intake if elected next May, as well as pumping $500 million into the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Announcing the policy at the annual Australian Labor Party Conference on Monday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he wanted to “rekindle Australia’s reputation as a good international citizen”, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“A Shorten Labor government will ensure our nation can do our part to resettle genuine refugees facing persecution and in need of protection,” the ALP said in a statement. “The Liberals have failed to improve Australia’s humanitarian response on the international stage.

“Labor will commit $500m to the work of the UNHCR, to deliver stronger asylum seeker assessment and resettlement processes across the region and closer to source countries – an important measure to ensure vulnerable people are not exploited by people smugglers to travel by boat.”

While Labor supporters have praised Shorten for his stance on refugees, political rivals across Canberra have been quick to slam the proposed policy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison came out swinging on Tuesday as he accused his leadership rival of agreeing to weaken the country’s borders. He said: “Bill Shorten has agreed to weaken border protection, adopt extreme new gender policies and send $500m cheques to UN agencies paid for by higher taxes on Australians. And he’s just getting started.”

Bill Shorten has agreed to weaken border protection, adopt extreme new gender policies and send $500m cheques to UN agencies paid for by higher taxes on Australians. And he’s just getting started.#dontriskLabor

— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) December 17, 2018

Read more: PM labels Shorten ‘a threat to Australia’s safety’ amid row over asylum seekers.

Pauline Hanson also waded into the debate, seemingly agreeing with Morrison as she accused Shorten of putting the Australian people last.

“Bill Shorten has just announced at the Labor Conference in Adelaide that should he become prime minister, he will: 1) Give away $500 million dollars (sic) to the UN. 2) Massively increase Australia’s refugee intake,” she tweeted.

“Once again, Labor puts everyone but Australians first.”

Bill Shorten has just announced at the Labor conference in Adelaide that should he become Prime Minister, he will:

1) Give away $500 million dollars to the UN

2) Massively increase Australia’s refugee intake

Once again, Labor puts everyone but Australians first. -PH pic.twitter.com/5YVmcEMF26

— Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) December 17, 2018

Earlier this month, Morrison branded Shorten “a threat to Australia’s safety”, accusing him of trying to “erode Australia’s strong border security” amid a row over changes to offshore detention legislation.

The PM’s comments came after Shorten sided with the Greens and key crossbench MPs over proposed amendments to Home Affairs legislation to allow for faster medical treatment for refugees on Manus Island and Nauru.

“This is about Australia’s national security,” Morrison said. “And Bill Shorten is a clear and present threat to Australia’s safety. Because he is so obsessed with politics, that he cannot see the national interest.”

While Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton called the policy “dangerous” and “a recipe for boats to restart if Labor is elected at the next election”.

The bill at the centre of the drama was introduced by independent MP Kerryn Phelps and, if passed into legislation, would give doctors the authority to order the medical transfers of sick asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru, which Morrison warned would “completely crumble offshore processing”.

After passing through the Senate on the final sitting day of parliament, the bill is due to go to a vote in the House of Representatives when parliament resumes in February.

What are your thoughts on Labor’s refugee policy?