The boatpeople intercepted by the navy near Ashmore Reef will be the first test for the new government which is much softer on asylum. The 14 arrivals will be given access tofunded lawyers before lodging any asylum claim as well as the right of appeal, should their claims fail. Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the Government would fund the initial legal costs of the 14 people after they have been questioned by officials, should they decide to apply for asylum.
Evans said the first step would be to ascertain who the arrivals were, where they had come from and to run health checks. He said that as part of the new approach to dealing with asylum claims, the group would also be able to appeal any unsuccessful asylum claims. Under the old arrangements, asylum-seekers who made unsuccessful claims on Christmas Island would have had no recourse to Australian authorities as the island has been excised by the Howard government from the migration zone. Despite the changes the group will still be unable to appeal any unsuccessful claims in Australian courts.
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