Australia to take in additional 12,000 Syrian refugees
PM backtracks on statement that additional Syrians would not see an increase in existing overall intake; says will be on top of number presently allows in
By Jill Fraser
MELBOURNE
Australia's prime minister has said that the country will allow in 12,000 refugees from Syria - an apparent U-turn on a policy of just four days ago - and begin air strikes on Daesh targets within the week.
Speaking to reporters after MPs met to discuss government policy, Tony Abbott said that the decision was "very much in Australia's national interest."
"There can be no stability and no end to the persecution and suffering in the Middle East until the Daesh death cult is degraded and ultimately destroyed," he said.
For the past two nights, thousands have joined candlelit vigils around Australia urging the government to increase its intake, participants at "Light in the Dark" rallies carrying placards stating "Australia Welcomes Refugees" while speakers stand on makeshift platforms arguing that the Abbott government "is not doing enough".
On Tuesday, in a full-page advertisement in The Australian newspaper, three key aid agencies -- Oxfam, World Vision and Save the Children -- joined the growing calls for Australia -- which has a population of around 23 million people -- to increase its intake to 30,000 per year.
Meanwhile, more than 1.8 million Syrian refugees have gone to Turkey, more than 600,000 fled to Jordan and 1 million arrived in Lebanon -- which has a population of just 4 million.
Australia's current yearly refugee quota was just below 14,000.
Wednesday's decision will see Australia accept 12,000 refugees on top of its existing humanitarian intake - a figure still below that asked for.
On Sunday, Abbott had said that Australia would take in more Syrians, but would not increase the total number of asylum seekers it accepts.
The decision was taken on advice from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton - in Paris and Geneva discussing the refugee crisis with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international agencies - and under pressure from state Liberal leaders, the federal opposition and Greens.
Abbot said that women, children and families from refugees in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon would take preference.
He added that the government would also spend A$44 million ($31 million) supplying refugee aid agencies with cash, food, water and blankets in the three areas.
"I do want to stress, women children and families - the most vulnerable of all," he said, according to the Sydney Morning herald
"It's those who can never go back that we're focussed on,” he said, denying preferential treatment would be given to Christians.
Defense Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said that the country's first airstrikes against Syrian targets would be launched this week
