Australia mulls a sponsoring plan for refugees

Canberra said it was considering a programme to let citizens sponsor refugees to come to Australia.

Canberra said today it was considering a pilot programme to let citizens sponsor refugees to come to Australia,in order to stem the flow of boatpeople undertaking dangerous trips from Asia.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said Australia8217;s humanitarian refugee programme was under pressure,with the number of asylum claims far outstripping the 13,750 places available and many resorting to perilous sea journeys.

8220;Consequently,we will be seeking the community8217;s views on the feasibility of introducing a private sponsorship pilot programme,8221; Bowen said in a statement accompanying the government8217;s yearly budget.

8220;We are keen to see if we can build on the goodwill towards refugees that exists in the Australian community to develop such a programme.8221;

Though they come in relatively small numbers by global standards,the issue of asylum-seekers is a political flashpoint in Australia,dominating national elections in 2010 due to a record number of boat arrivals from Asia.

More than 2,500 boatpeople have arrived so far in 2012 more than double the number in the same period last year.

Indonesia is a common transit point for those trying to reach Australia,but the overloaded,rickety craft that set sail from it regularly fail to reach their final destination.

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In December,a boat carrying around 250 mostly Afghan and Iranian asylum-seekers sank in Indonesian waters on its way to Australia8217;s Christmas Island,with only 47 surviving.

Arrivals have increased since Australia8217;s High Court struck down a proposed refugee swap with Malaysia,forcing Canberra to abandon offshore processing of asylum-seekers and release many to live in the community.

Bowen said the sponsorship programme was part of plans aimed at 8220;eliminating the incentive for people to make the dangerous boat journey to Australia8221; so humanitarian visas could go to those 8220;in greatest need8221;.

The government would seek comment on the feasibility of a sponsorship pilot in coming months from refugee advocacy groups and other agencies,he added.