XN000022-1992-04-08 — Page 34

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1992

CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE PROPOSED

* * * * * *

THE

RIGHTS

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO MAKE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS ΤΟ IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO BRING IT INTO LINE WITH THE BILL OF (BOR).

THE ORDINANCE IS ONE OF SIX COVERED BY THE FREEZE PERIOD EXPIRES IN JUNE. FOLLOWING A REVIEW, IT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BOR.

WHICH THAT

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE CONTAINED IN THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT} BILL 1992 WHICH WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 6.

THE FIRST TWO SECTIONS IN QUESTION RELATE ΤΟ VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND ARE, IN ANY CASE, NO LONGER RELEVANT. ONE DEALS WITH THE DETENTION OF REFUGEES IN CLOSED CAMPS AND THE OTHER WITH THE RIGHT

TO DETAIN TROUBLEMAKERS IN THESE CAMPS OR TO VARY THEIR CONDITIONS OF STAY.

"

"THESE SECTIONS ARE NO LONGER NECESSARY FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN POLICY AND THE TRANSFER OF GENUINE REFUGEES TO OPEN CAMPS IN JUNE 1988, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, "AND THERE ARE ADEQUATE POWERS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO ABUSE THEIR CONDITIONS OF STAY."

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THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE AMENDMENTS APPLIED ONLY TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988 AND THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCREENED IN SINCE THEN.

"THIS IS SEPARATE FROM AND DOES NOT AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT'S POWERS AND INTENTION TO CONTINUE TO DETAIN ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO ARE AWAITING SCREENING OR HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT, OR ITS POLICY OF SENDING ALL NON-REFUGEES BACK TO VIETNAM, HE ADDED.

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AT THE MOMENT, EMPLOYERS ACCUSED OF HIRING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE PRESUMED TO BE GUILTY AS CHARGED UNLESS THEY CAN PROVE OTHERWISE.

THE BILL PROPOSES THAT SUCH DEFENDANTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO REBUT THE PRESUMPTIONS IF THEY CAN PRODUCE EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY .

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SAME AMENDMENT ANOTHER SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE CONTAINING THE PERSON IS AN UNAUTHORISED ENTRANT OR IS THE CARRYING AN UNAUTHORISED ENTRANT.

SHOULD BE MADE TO PRESUMPTION THAT A OWNER OF A VESSEL

THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY PROVIDES FOR THE DETENTION OF A PERSON PENDING AN APPEAL AGAINST THE DECISION OF A PUBLIC OFFICER, SUCH AS REFUSING AN EXTENSION OF STAY.

THIS POWER HAS NEVER BEEN USED AND IT IS SHOULD BE REPEALED.

PROPOSED THAT IT

/A FURTHER