Providing asylum seekers with rent free homes and household goods is sending the wrong message to people smugglers, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says. “That is the last message the federal government should be sending.”
Tony Abbott
News Ltd on Friday reported household goods worth thousands of dollars, including DVDs and plasma TVs, are being included in welcome packs provided to asylum seekers being housed in rent-free homes while their claims are processed.
“The message is going out loud and clear to the people smugglers and their clients and potential customers: the red carpet is being rolled out, there is a welcome mat waiting for you here in Australia,” Mr Abbott told the Nine Network.
“That is the last message the federal government should be sending.”
Mr Abbott said most asylum seekers should be in detention while they are being processed.
“As far as is humanly possible, we don’t want to keep kids in detention, but this is taking community release to a whole new level of what looks like to luxury,” he said.
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