NSW:New proposal to win Malaysian swap deal

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2011
NSW:New proposal to win Malaysian swap deal

Australia's refugee intake could be nearly doubled under a new proposal by federal
Immigration Minister CHRIS BOWEN.

Fairfax newspapers report Mr BOWEN will propose increasing Australia's resettlement
target from 13,750 to 20 thousand in a bid to win support for the controversial Malaysian
swap deal.

According to the papers, the proposal is part of a new "soft-heart, hard-head" platform
which will be put forward by Mr BOWEN at this weekend's ALP national conference.

Mr BOWEN says he's expecting the support of the conference and has signalled the people-swap
legislation is likely to return to parliament next year.

The government abandoned a plan to put its bill to allow offshore processing of asylum
seekers in Malaysia to a vote in October after it became clear it wouldn't win enough
parliamentary support for it.

AAP RTV ih/els/

KEYWORD: BOAT BOWEN (SYDNEY)

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