Fed: Ruddock leaves for immigration ministers conference

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2000
Fed: Ruddock leaves for immigration ministers conference

Illegal immigration is expected to feature on the agenda of this week's trans-Tasman
ministerial council meeting, with Australian states accusing Canberra of passing the buck.

South Australian Premier JOHN OLSEN says 90 per cent of the illegal immigrants housed
at the state's Woomera detention centre would be released next month on temporary protection
visas.

The restricted visas, introduced last year in a bid to stem the tide of boat people
entering Australia without visas, restrict services available to illegal immigrants.

Mr OLSEN says it's unfair to expect the states to pick up the slack.

Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK, who leaves tonight for the Ministerial Council
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Wellington, says the scheme is designed to
keep the benefits basic.

He says the government isn't asking the states to be involved in any additional funding
of programs which he says are likely to be an incentive for more illegal immigrants.

RTV kmh/dmc/wz

KEYWORD: COUNCIL (CANBERRA)

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