}
CONFIDENTIAL
the Australian Government had already done much to ease the problems, but hoped that they could now do a little more. Dr Harris explained that the Australian Immigration Minister was currently in Hong Kong and would no doubt cover the subject. One problem that Australia faced was that its total quota for Indo-Chinese refugees had been reduced this year. Such refugees had in general assimilated well, but there had recently been considerable debate on the subject in Australia and it was felt that Australia had reached its absorptive capacity.
Distribution:
PS
PS/Lady Young
PS/PUS
Sir W Harding
Dr Wilson
Mr MacInnes
SPD
CCD
Finance Dept
HKD
ACDD
WED
SEAD
Research Dept
LACPD, ODA
Chancery: Canberra
Wellington
South Pacific Department
October 1985
N,
CONFIDENTIAL