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BACK DOOR Newsletter on East Timor

Australian PM proposes an asylum-seeker processing centre in Timor-Leste

Primeira Ministra Australia anunsiu ona ninia intensaun atu harii sentru iha Timor-Leste ba ema ne’ebe buka aziliu iha Australia

Um centro de processamento de refugiados em Timor-Leste?

A collection of articles about Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's proposal to establish a processing centre in East Timor for people seeking asylum in Australia.

September 2010

Link to main Asylum-Seeker Processing Contents page
Wherever possible, we have included links to postings on the east-timor news list: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor. These postings are usually plain text only and are particularly suitable for readers using computers that require small downloads.
Articles are in reverse chronological order. The newest articles appear first.

29 Sep 2010: SBS World News Australia: United against Australia's asylum plan
SBS: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/blogarticle/120557/United-against-Australia-s-asylum-plan/blog/Inside-Asia
"As Julia Gillard pushes ahead with her vision of a processing hub, East Timor's national parliament has already rejected the idea. In July, East Timorese MPs - including members of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's ruling party - voted unanimously against any future development. ... The country's [Timor-Leste's] politicians are fractured on most issues, but they've managed to unite in opposition to the Australian plan." Source: Auskar Surbakti, SBS

28 Sep 2010: Monsters and Critics: Australia's hung Parliament sworn in
M&C: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1587493.php/Australia-s-hung-Parliament-sworn-in
"Australia's first hung Parliament in 70 years was sworn in Tuesday, ... Greens member Adam Bandt and independent Andrew Wilkie slammed Gillard for keeping 5,000 asylum seekers in detention and trying to persuade East Timor to accept Australian financing for an offshore immigration-processing centre to which new arrivals could be sent."

28 Sep 2010: Chris Bowen, [Australia's] Minister of Immigration: Interview with Helen Dalley
CB: http://www.chrisbowen.net/media-centre/allNews.do?newsId=3743
"DALLEY: But what’s the progress with East Timor? There’s no real progress, is there?
BOWEN: Well, Helen, we’ve had encouraging discussions. I’ll be going to East Timor in coming weeks, as I’ll be going to other regional partners and I’ll be announcing more details of that in the not too distant future."

25 Sep 2010: Brisbane Times: Dili still cool as asylum seeker plan is put on the table
BT: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/dili-still-cool-as-asylum-seeker-plan-is-put-on-the-table-20100924-15ql0.html
"After Australia for the first time formally put its East Timor processing centre plan to the Timorese and Indonesian governments at a meeting of foreign ministers in New York on Thursday, the Timorese Foreign Minster, Zacarias da Costa said : ''We cannot be in the middle as a transit point for these people.''" Bernard Lagan NEW YORK and Yuko Narushima

25 Sep 2010: Courier Mail: Immigration the toughest of tests for Bowen
CM: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/immigration-the-toughest-of-tests-for-bowen/story-e6frerc6-1225929051397
"When [Chris] Bowen [Australia's Minister for Immigration] arrived at Broome he told the media his next trip would be to East Timor to discuss the possibility of an offshore asylum-seeker processing centre. The difficulties are many. While there is some in-principle support from East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, other ministers and MPs in the fledgling country's Parliament are either hesitant or hostile." Dennis Atkins

24 Sep 2010: Australian: Dili adds demands to talks on refugees
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/dili-adds-demands-to-talks-on-refugees/story-fn2mxir4-1225928604052
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00294.html
"EAST Timor wants Julia Gillard's proposal for an asylum-seeker processing centre linked to better co-operation with Canberra on maritime security." Mark Dodd

Tetun:
23 Setembru 2010: SAPO Notícias: Primeira-ministra australiana ko’alia ho Xanana Gusmão konabá sentru atu halibur refujiadus
SAPO: http://noticias.sapo.tl/tetum/info/artigo/1094219.html
"Lisboa, 23 set (Lusa) – Primeira Ministra australia nian, Julia Gillard, haka’er knaar iha palnu hodi kria sentru ida atu halibur refujiadu sira iha Timor-Leste, ko’alia daudaun ohin tema ne’e ho ninia homologu timor-oan, Xanana Gusmão."

Portuguese:
23 de Setembro de 2010: Timor Lorosae Nação - diário: PM australiana falou com Xanana sobre centro de acolhimento de refugiados
TLN: http://timorlorosaenacaodiario.blogspot.com/2010/09/pm-australiana-falou-com-xanana-gusmao.html
"Lisboa, 23 set (Lusa) -- A primeira ministra da Austrália, Julia Gillard, está empenhada no plano de criar um centro de acolhimento para refugiados em Timor-Leste, tendo abordado hoje o tema com o seu homólogo timorense, Xanana Gusmão."

23 Sep 2010: Age: PM hands Timor deal to minister
Age: http://www.theage.com.au/national/pm-hands-timor-deal-to-minister-20100922-15myr.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00272.html
"IMMIGRATION Minister Chris Bowen will head to East Timor to revive plans for an offshore immigration processing facility following talks between Julia Gillard and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. The Prime Minister spoke yesterday to Mr Gusmao and asked whether she could dispatch Mr Bowen to discuss the processing centre with his East Timorese counterpart." Katharine Murphy and Yuko Narushima

23 Sep 2010: EU Australia Online: Mass Migration, Asylum — Signs Of The Times …
EU: http://www.euaustralia.com/2010/09/23/mass-migration-asylum-signs-of-the-times/
"Talks were started with East Timor (Timor Leste) as a possible location for processing, as a signatory to Unites Nations protocols on refugees. “It would be to ensure that arriving by boat does not give anybody an advantage in the likelihood that they would end up settling in Australia or other countries in the region,” the [Australian] Prime Minister said."

23 Sep 2010: Australian: PM sticks by East Timor solution
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/pm-sticks-by-east-timor-solution/story-fn59niix-1225928048855
"JULIA Gillard has pushed ahead with her East Timor solution for offshore processing. ... The Prime Minister yesterday renewed discussions about Australia's offshore processing plans with East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and will send Immigration Minister Chris Bowen to the region to continue negotiations." Lauren Wilson

22 Sep 2010: SMH: Gillard, Gusmao in refugee centre talks
SMH: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/gillard-gusmao-in-refugee-centre-talks-20100922-15ms7.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00260.html
"Prime Minister Julia Gillard is forging ahead with her plan for a refugee processing hub in East Timor amid renewed pressure over Labor's border protection regime. Ms Gillard on Wednesday discussed her vision for a regional framework for dealing with asylum seekers with Xanana Gusmao, telling the East Timorese prime minister she remained committed to the plan." Karlis Salna

22 Sep 2010: ABC: Gillard and Gusmao discuss asylum plan
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/22/3019196.htm?section=justin
"Prime Minister Julia Gillard has spoken with the East Timorese prime minister Xanana Gusmao about the Government's plans for a regional processing centre for asylum seekers. Ms Gillard says she would like Immigration Minister Chris Bowen to visit East Timor in the near future to discuss the issue. Mr Gusmao says Mr Bowen would be welcome and he has also invited Ms Gillard to visit East Timor."

20 Sep 2010: ABC Radio Australia: Timor to discuss asylum centre in New York
RA: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201009/s3016312.htm
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00232.html
"East Timor's Foreign minister says a regional asylum seeker processing centre is not a simple bilateral matter, and he plans to discuss it with his Australian and Indonesian counterparts in New York later this week. Zacarias da Costa says he's not yet received a formal proposal from Australia on the idea of setting up a centre in East Timor. Mr da Costa, who flew to the United States last night has told Radio Australia he expects the issue to be raised by his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd. ... "
[Includes interview with Zacarias da Costa, East Timor's Foreign minister]

20 Sep 2010: east-timor: Timor-Leste News September 20, 2010
Refugee detention center should be discussed at trilateral level: Gusmao
Suara Timor Loro Sa'e, September 19, 2010 language source: Tetun
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00235.html

20 Sep 2010: YouTube: AIAustralia: Australia, don't offload asylum seekers to East Timor
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bspE2rsAHOA&feature=channel
"Afghan refugee Najeeba describes what it's like to flee your home and country for fear of violence and persecution, and explains what the Gillard Government's latest plans for a regional asylum seeker processing centre in East Timor mean to her."

20 Sep 2010: Australian: PNG pleads to be site for processing
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/png-pleads-to-be-site-for-processing/story-e6frg6nf-1225927004852
"THE Gillard government says it will continue its push for a regional asylum-seeker processing centre in East Timor. This is despite a plea from the governor of PNG's Manus Island for it to be established there." Lauren Wilson

20 Sep 2010: ABC: PNG could solve detention problems: Coalition
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/20/3016292.htm
east-timor: [scroll down page] https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00232.html
"The Opposition says Prime Minister Julia Gillard needs to approach Papua New Guinea about re-opening the detention centre on Manus Island instead of planning to build more detention centres on Australian soil."

18 Sep 2010: Age: No refugee trade-offs, says East Timor
Age: http://www.theage.com.au/national/no-refugee-tradeoffs-says-east-timor-20100917-15ge1.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00217.html
"EAST Timor has refused to be party to humanitarian ''trade-offs'' in order to satisfy Australia's search for a country to detain asylum seekers. Ambassador Abel Guterres said his country understood the plight of refugees and would not be bought by economic incentives offered by Australia." Yuko Narushima

18 Sep 2010: Green Left: Gay detained refugee transferred to Melbourne
GL: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45433
"Rather than build a centre in East Timor, why not house refugees here, in Australia? There is no shortage of housing in the Australian community, and the government obviously has the money to spend on refugees." Aaron Roden

17 Sep 2010: Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Colin Barnett, additional immigration detention accommodation, regional protection framework.
CB: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/speeches/2010/cb100917-1.htm
"Bowen: Well, there are lots of politicians in East Timor: some are open minded about the idea; some have expressed a view against it. We said that East Timor was our focus. The Prime Minister has given me carriage of this issue and I will be pursuing it. ... Well, there have been discussions between the Australian Government and the East Timorese Government, and now that I'm the Minister I'll take those over."

Tetun:
16 Set 2010: Timor Hau Nian Doben: "Laos Simu Nar-Naran"
THND: http://timorhauniandoben.blogspot.com/2010/09/laos-simu-nar-naran.html
"ACR - Jornal Diário Nacional: Presidente Republika (PR), José Ramos Horta afirma katak, atu loke Centru Refujiadu iha Timor-Leste (TL) hodi prosesa azilu politiku husi nasaun bar-barak molok haksoit tama Australia, laos TL simu nar-naran proposta Australia nian, maibe sei tur hamutuk hodi diskuti vantagen no desvantagen saída mak sei mosu iha aban bairua."

16 Sep 2010: east-timor: Timor-Leste News September 16, 2010
Will not accept recklessly: Horta
Diario Nacional, September 16, 2010 language source: Tetun
east-timor: [scroll down page] https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00194.html

16 Sep 2010: ABC Radio Australia: Greens to take Australian govt to task over asylum centres
RA: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201009/s3013238.htm
east-timor: [scroll down page] https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00198.html
"But a point of difference which remains for the Greens party, and the government, is the issue of regional detention centres proposed for East Timor and the opposition Liberal party's suggested choice of Nauru."

16 Sep 2010: Age: No Timor refugee centre overnight, says Rudd
Age: http://www.theage.com.au/national/no-timor-refugee-centre-overnight-says-rudd-20100915-15cnj.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00198.html
"NEW Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says negotiations on Julia Gillard's proposal for a regional processing centre on East Timor will take a long time - and has cast himself in only a secondary role in the effort." Michelle Grattan

16 Sep 2010: news.com.au: Only 75 asylum seekers rejected since 2008
news.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/national/only-75-asylum-seekers-rejected-since-2008/story-e6frfkvr-1225924313485
"Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday also could not guarantee a new East Timor processing facility in three years." Simon Benson

15 Sep 2010: SMH: East Timor defers talks on refugee processing centre
SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/national/east-timor-defers-talks-on-refugee-processing-centre-20100914-15azv.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00174.html
"East Timor has rebuffed Julia Gillard over her plan to build a regional processing centre for asylum seekers there, referring the negotiations to a 50-nation meeting on people smuggling. The decision means any talks to establish a centre will be more difficult and delayed for months until a meeting in Indonesia." Lindsay Murdoch

15 Sep 2010: AusGov: Transcript of Rudd press conference
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00200.html
"QUESTION: Mr Rudd, do you think that the East Timor processing centre can be achieved in this term of Parliament?
KEVIN RUDD: I have been Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patricia, for a little less than 24 hours. As the Prime Minister's already noted, this will involve a long process of negotiation with regional countries and international organisations. And so, I think it's important that we do this thoroughly and methodically but I'm being very frank with you, it will take time."

15 Sep 2010: Australian: Rudd falls in behind PM's asylum-seeker plan, announces trip to Pakistan
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/rudd-falls-in-behind-pms-asylum-seeker-plan-announces-trip-to-pakistan/story-fn59nm2j-1225923814739
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00189.html
"KEVIN Rudd today denied Julia Gillard's plan to process asylum-seekers in East Timor was a "lurch to the right" but confirmed he would not lead the talks with Dili. In his first statements as foreign minister, Mr Rudd said he would work closely with Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, who would be responsible for the negotiations." James Massola, Joe Kelly

15 Sep 2010: SMH: Rudd says Labor has not moved to right
SMH: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/rudd-says-labor-has-not-moved-to-right-20100915-15c2l.html
"Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has rejected suggestions Labor has "lurched to the right" on asylum seeker policy since he was replaced by Julia Gillard. ... Labor has since changed direction on asylum seeker policy under Ms Gillard, and is now pushing to establish a regional refugee processing hub in East Timor."

15 Sep 2010: Liberal Party of Australia: Rudd confirms East Timor is a never never solution
Lib: http://www.liberal.org.au/Latest-News/2010/09/15/Rudd-confirms-East-Timor-is-a-never-never-solution.aspx
"Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Shadow Minister for Productivity and Population, Scott Morrison said Foreign Minister Rudd today confirmed that Julia Gillard’s East Timor processing centre will never see the light of day."

15 Sep 2010: Australian: Kevin Rudd to push Timor centre
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/kevin-rudd-to-push-timor-centre/story-fn59niix-1225922982984
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00175.html
"KEVIN Rudd is poised to begin top-level negotiations with East Timor and Indonesia. The talks will be over Julia Gillard's plan for a regional processing centre next week, two months after vowing never to "lurch to the Right" on asylum-seekers. ... But Mr Rudd will be meeting East Timor Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa at the UN General Assembly in New York next week." Paul Maley and Peter Alford

15 Sep 2010: ABC: Bowen admits processing centres overcrowded
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/14/3011789.htm?section=justin
"Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says the Government is under serious pressure to find more beds to house asylum seekers. ... Mr Bowen says he will take the lead role in establishing a regional centre to process the claims of asylum seekers. ... East Timor's foreign minister, Zacarias da Costa, says he will meet Mr Rudd as part of a trilateral meeting with his Australian and Indonesian counterparts in New York next week."

15 Sep 2010: SMH: East Timor solution long way off: oppn
SMH: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/east-timor-solution-long-way-off-oppn-20100915-15b8g.html
"An offshore asylum-seeker processing centre will not be built in East Timor during Labor's next term of government, the opposition says."

14 Sep 2010: ABC: E Timor denies processing centre site reports
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/14/3011494.htm?section=justin
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00166.html
"East Timor's government has denied reports it has identified a possible site for a regional processing centre for asylum seekers. Fairfax newspapers are reporting the town of Suai on East Timor's south coast has been singled out by the Timorese government for consideration as a regional processing centre. ... But East Timor's government, led by prime minister Xanana Gusmao, says it has not identified a possible site." Sara Everingham

14 Sep 2010: Herald Sun: Timor storm over proposed centre
HS: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/timor-storm-over-proposed-centre/story-e6frf7l6-1225921403213
"ATTEMPTS by Julia Gillard to get moving on her proposed asylum-seeker processing centre in East Timor have come at a bad time for Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who is presiding over a shaky government and cannot afford unpopular distractions. Timor's main opposition party, Fretilin, says it is prepared to fight a national election on a platform of opposing the asylum centre." Paul Toohey

14 Sep 2010: Greens MPs: Greens Move For A New Beginning On Asylum-Seekers
Greens: http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-move-new-beginning-asylum-seekers
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00168.html
"The Australian Greens have called for discussions with the new Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, to work towards a more sensible approach to asylum-seekers, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. ... "Australia should not be trying to palm off its responsibilities as a regional leader to the poorest nations in our region, whether it be East Timor, Nauru or somewhere else." [Senator Hanson-Young said.]"

14 Sep 2010: ABC 7.30 Report: Chris Bowen joins the 7.30 Report
7.30: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s3011785.htm
"The new Minister for Immigration and Citizenship joins the program to discuss his new role. ... CHRIS BOWEN: Well, we've said that East Timor is the focus of our efforts for a regional processing centre, but just as important is the regional processing framework. That will require me to be having discussions not only with East Timor, but with a range of countries across our region"

14 Sep 2010: Australian: Rudd's Refugee Hospital Pass
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/rudds-refugee-hospital-pass/story-e6frg6z6-1225921432553
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00160.html
"But as Australia's foreign minister, Rudd's objective will be far more modest. It will be to deliver Gillard her processing centre, despite opposition in East Timor and indifference within the region at large. It will be a tough sell." Paul Maley

14 Sep 2010: Age: Boost for Timor solution
Age: http://www.theage.com.au/national/boost-for-timor-solution-20100913-1599x.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00156.html
"JULIA Gillard's plan to turn East Timor into a regional hub to process refugee claims has been boosted after the government in Dili identified a possible site to house asylum seekers. In an early sign that the Prime Minister's ''Timor solution'' is being taken seriously in Dili, it is believed the township of Suai in the south has been singled out for consideration." Daniel Flitton

14 Sep 2010: 9 News: East Timor centre will take time: Bowen
9: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/7961406/east-timor-centre-will-take-time-bowen
"Setting up a regional refugee processing centre at East Timor will take time, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says."

13 Sep 2010: Crikey: Rudd’s East Timor challenge
Crikey: http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/09/13/kingsbury-rudd%E2%80%99s-east-timor-challenge/
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00144.html
"As the new consolation prize, Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd’s first job will be to try to implement the government’s “East Timor solution” for asylum seekers. The issue is whether this policy has any chance of success. The first hurdle to be overcome was the unanimous vote by East Timor’s parliament, if with an incomplete sitting of members, opposing the idea." Damien Kingsbury

13 Sep 2010: SMH: Rudd forced to back down on Timor
SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/rudd-forced-to-back-down-on-timor-20100912-156zb.html
"One of Kevin Rudd's first tasks as Foreign Minister will be to negotiate with East Timor to establish a processing centre for asylum seekers there - a policy about which he had deep misgivings when prime minister. ... Sources said Mr Rudd was at best lukewarm because he had doubts about how it would be received in East Timor, especially by the Fretilin party and the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, who has since criticised it." Phillip Coorey

13 Sep 2010: SMH: From the boss down, new ministry has much to prove
SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/from-the-boss-down-new-ministry-has-much-to-prove-20100912-1570i.html
"Kevin Rudd has to show he can rehabilitate himself, and put the intense bitterness he must feel behind him. His challenge is to work constructively with Gillard, accepting that she has the last call in his area of expertise. He also has to show that, sleeves rolled up, he is a good enough negotiator to get the East Timorese to have the asylum seeker processing centre that Gillard has proposed."

13 Sep 2010: Age: Rudd on the spot in boat people talks
Age: http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/rudd-on-the-spot-in-boat-people-talks-20100912-1570h.html
"NEW Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will have to drive talks on Prime Minister Julia Gillard's plan for an asylum seeker processing centre in East Timor, despite his warning against Australia lurching to the right on boat people. Ms Gillard - making it clear Mr Rudd would not have free rein on foreign policy - said yesterday it would be part of his job, working with new Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, to further the policy for a regional processing centre." Michelle Grattan

13 Sep 2010: Herald Sun: We can't halt boats says Immigration Minister Chris Bowen
HS: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/we-cant-halt-boats-says-immigration-minister-chris-bowen/story-e6frf7l6-1225919840337
east-timor: [scroll down page] https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00140.html
"NEW Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has warned he won't stop the flow of refugee boats coming to Australia. ... Mr Bowen will work to establish a regional refugee processing centre on East Timor with new Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd, who attacked his party's "lurch to the Right" on immigration policy after he was deposed as leader." Ben Packham

13 Sep 2010: Yahoo!7: Rudd opposed to East Timor centre: oppn
Y7: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/7931627/rudd-opposed-to-east-timor-centre-oppn/
"Liberal senator Mitch Fifield said this showed Mr Rudd would clash with Ms Gillard in his new ministerial role. "Kevin Rudd, we know, is opposed to the offshore processing proposal at East Timor that the prime minister has put forward," he told Sky News. But incoming Labor frontbencher Mark Butler dismissed Senator Fifield's assertion as inference and said Mr Rudd would recognise government policy."

12 Sep 2010: ABC Radio Australia: Rudd to head East Timor asylum processing centre talks
RA: http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201009/3009388.htm?desktop
"Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Kevin Rudd will lead negotiations on setting up an asylum seeker processing centre in East Timor. Ms Gillard's call for a regional processing centre came shortly after she deposed Mr Rudd as leader. He has just been appointed Foreign Affairs Minister in her new Cabinet."

12 Sep 2010: Australian: Rudd won't run the show - Gillard
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/rudd-wont-run-the-show-gillard/story-fn3dxiwe-1225919373699
"As Prime Minister, Mr Rudd did not push for offshore processing. He resisted pressure from right-leaning ALP factional heavyweights to take a tougher line on asylum seekers. The night before he was toppled as PM, Mr Rudd warned of a lurch to the right on the issue. Ms Gillard went on to draft the new policy of offshore processing in a regional hub, possibly East Timor."

12 Sep 2010: ABC: Gillard out to show who's boss
ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/12/3009342.htm
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00140.html
"Prime Minister Julia Gillard has denied Opposition claims that new Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd will act as a "one-man band" on foreign policy. ... She says Mr Rudd will even lead the negotiations on setting up an asylum seeker processing centre in East Timor. Ms Gillard's call for a regional processing centre came shortly after she deposed Mr Rudd as leader."

12 Sep 2010: Australian: Gillard, Rudd to 'work together' on foreign policy as PM emphasises team approach
Aus: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/gillard-rudd-to-work-together-on-foreign-policy-as-pm-emphasises-team-approach/story-fn59niix-1225919300372
"JULIA Gillard has signalled Kevin Rudd will not be allowed to dominate foreign policy as foreign minister. The former prime minister, ousted by Ms Gillard, will implement Labor's policy of an offshore processing centre for asylum-seekers after being named to replace Stephen Smith in foreign affairs."

12 Sep 2010: SMH: I'm the boss, says Gillard
SMH: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/im-the-boss-says-gillard-20100912-156g0.html
"Opposition frontbencher Christopher Pyne said it was strange that Mr Rudd had been executed because he was a "control freak" but now Ms Gillard was following suit. ... He asked why Mr Rudd was given the task of implementing the East Timor solution, a policy he had begged his party not to pursue. "What that means of course is that Labor will never implement a regional processing centre," he said." Cathy Alexander

Portuguese:
11 de Setembro de 2010: Timor Lorosae Nação - diário: "Governo de Gillard Pode Durar Apenas Mesas"
TLN: http://timorlorosaenacaodiario.blogspot.com/2010/09/governo-de-gillard-pode-durar-apenas.html
"O novo governo australiano, liderado por Julia Gillard, pode durar apenas meses. Se um deputado da maioria adoecer, se alguém se demitir, se um dos apoiantes morrer ou um independente mudar de ideias, isso será suficiente para pôr em perigo a estabilidade. ... Este ano, as autoridades australianas interceptaram 80 navios com 4 mil clandestinos (1000 dos quais afegãos) que procuravam asilo. Não haverá contemplações: estas pessoas serão enviadas para um complexo em Timor-Leste."

11 Sep 2010: Herald Sun: Rudd the wrong choice - Bishop
HS: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/rudd-the-wrong-choice-bishop/story-e6frf7jx-1225918474301
"PRIME Minister Julia Gillard's appointment of Kevin Rudd as foreign minister risks Australia's international relations because of the fractured relationship between the pair, Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop says. ... "He will obviously have to apologise to East Timor for the bungle Julia Gillard made over announcing that East Timor would have a processing centre for asylum seekers when East Timor doesn't want such a centre."" Lloyd Jones

8 Sep 2010: Age: Greens possible asylum sticking point
Age: http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/greens-possible-asylum-sticking-point-20100907-14zll.html
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00088.html
" THE Gillard government will have to negotiate with the Greens to implement its East Timor solution for asylum seekers. With a fragile hold on power in the lower house, the government will need the support of each of its 76 backers to set up a refugee processing hub in a third country, as promised before the election."

Portuguese:
7 de Setembro de 2010: Governo de Timor-Leste:
Declaração do Porta-voz do IV Governo Constitucional a 7 de Setembro de 2010
Timor-Leste congratula a Primeira-Ministra Julia Gillard
TLGov: http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=3806&lang=pt
"Em nome do Governo e do Povo de Timor-Leste, Sua Excelência o Primeiro-Ministro Xanana Gusmão deseja transmitir as suas mais sinceras felicitações e os seus melhores cumprimentos à Honorável Julia Gillard, pela sua eleição como Primeira-Ministra da Austrália. “O Povo da Austrália e de Timor-Leste desfrutam de uma forte e sólida amizade que irá ter continuidade sob a liderança da Primeira-Ministra Gillard. Os nossos Governos irão discutir assuntos de relevante importância e de interesse mútuo para ambos os nossos Povos e estou confiante que iremos trabalhar num verdadeiro espírito de amizade e solidariedade”. ... "

7 Sep 2010: Government of Timor-Leste:
Statement by the Spokesperson of the IV Constitutional Government on September 7, 2010
Timor-Leste congratulates Prime Minister Julia Gillard
TLGov: http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=3806&lang=en
east-timor: https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/east-timor/2010-09/msg00092.html
"The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Xanana Gusmão, on behalf of the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, wishes to extend warmest regards and congratulations to the Honourable Julia Gillard on her election as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. “The people of Australia and Timor-Leste enjoy a strong and mature friendship which will continue under the ongoing leadership of Prime Minister Gillard. There will be matters of significance that our Governments will discuss in the shared interests of our people and I look forward to working together in a true spirit of friendship and solidarity.” ... "

1 Sep 2010: The Guardian: Organisations demand protection for asylum seekers
CPA: http://www.cpa.org.au/guardian/2010/1470/04-organisations-demand.html
"The possible formation of a government that would include the Greens and independents has led a group of Australian non-government organisations, including the National Council of Churches, Amnesty International, the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, the Refugee Council of Australia and 17 other organisations, under a Regional Refugee Protection framework, to issue a joint demand for protection for asylum seekers from unjust and inhumane government policies. They have called for a regional refugee protection framework, based on the following principles: * There must be no removal of asylum seekers from Australian territory for processing in a third country."

See: A Regional Refugee Protection Framework - A joint statement by Australian non-government organisations
RC: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/docs/releases/2010/100801_Regional_Protection_Framework.pdf

Link to main Asylum-Seeker Processing Contents page
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