SlideShare une entreprise Scribd logo
1  sur  31
Télécharger pour lire hors ligne
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 1 of 31
INTRODUCTION
Is the limitation imposed by international law on the freedom of Australia to prevent and
remove irregular migrants that are smuggled into Australia by boat an unjustifiable
interference with Australia’s sovereignty? There is a fine balance between the sovereign rights
of a country for the purpose of protecting its population and economy, and its obligations to
international law, particularly regarding irregular migrants smuggled in by boat. Wars, conflicts
and persecution have been around since the beginning of civilization, which sadly continues to
this day, but now more commonly occurring within states rather than between states.1
Only since
the end of World War Two, the establishment of the United Nations and the multilateral charters
and treaties protecting individual human rights, has more consideration been given to the human
condition and a move towards individualist rights that accompany these precepts. Many from the
international community have heavily criticised Australia’s “harsh” migration laws placed on
irregular migration smuggled in by boat.2
Yet in contrast, Germany’s open border welcome
policy has in part created an extraordinary wave of European migration smuggled in mostly by
boat from the start of the 2015 northern summer. Ironically, now that some European countries
are struggling to provide sufficient housing3
- particularly during the grip of winter,4
similar
1
Ekatarina Balabanova, ‘Media, Wars and Politics, (Ashgate 2013), 25.
2
See as examples: Bachelard, Michael and Sarah Whyte, ‘UN representatives criticise Abbott government’s boat
tow-back policy’, The Sydney Morning Herald (23 April 2014) <http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-
news/un-representatives-criticise-abbott-governments-boat-towback-policy-20140422-zqxz1; ‘Amnesty
International condemns Australia's asylum seeker policies, labels counter-terrorism measures 'regressive' and says
global response to terrorist groups 'shameful'’ 24 February 2015, ABC News Online,
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-25/amnesty-condemns-australia's-asylum-seeker-policies/6261348>.
3
See as examples: Jane Dudman, ‘UN Envoy: Europe faces daunting task on refugees but housing a human right’,
The Guardian, (5 December 2015) http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2015/dec/05/un-envoy-europe-
refugees-housing-human-right-leilani-farha>; Henry Samuel, ‘Refugees shun France, land of red tape,
unemployment and poor housing’, The Telegraph (Paris), 21 September 2015,
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11880391/Refugees-shun-France-land-of-red-tape-
unemployment-and-poor-housing.html> .
4
See as an example: Holehouse, Matthew, and Melanie Hall, ‘Refugees will freeze to death, EU warns’, The
Telegraph (Brussels and Berlin), 25 October 2015
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11954037/Refugees-will-freeze-to-death-warn-EU-
head.html>
Commented [RWP[1]: Prevent what?
Commented [RWP[2]: International obligations are
binding; they cannot be balanced off
Commented [RWP[3]: True, but not relevant to your
essay?
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 2 of 31
closed border processes are either being set up or planning to be set up either along the European
coast, and more unprecedently, inside the Schengen borders.5
In light of these recent events, I will argue that maintaining Australia’s sovereignty by
preventing and removing aliens smuggled in by boat can still be achieved without compromising
its legal obligations to international law. In response, this essay will explicate a brief background
of irregular migration; a brief narrative on people smuggling; current sovereignty interpretation;
how Australia interprets its sovereign obligations to international treaties in general; and finally
how Australia interprets and reacts specifically to its legal obligations to international human
rights with respect to its ability to prevent and remove irregular migrants smuggled in by boat.
1. BACKGROUND – IRREGULAR MIGRATION
Mass irregular migration is not new. But, now in the 21st century, globalisation and advanced
telecommunication has never created a more global attention of events around the world,
revealing the ever increasing diaspora due to war and conflict.6 Europe’s last summer saw over
one million migrants making their way into Europe seeking asylum, refuge, or a better life from
abject poverty.7
After making the perilous journey mostly smuggled in by boat from either
Africa or the Middle East, they continued their journey north to mostly Germany and Sweden.8
5
See as examples: ‘Europe’s closing borders: Support for free travel contingent on better law and order’, Wall Street
Journal (7 January 2016) <http://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-closing-borders-1452212006>; ‘Austria suspends
Schengen agreement, steps up border control, tells EU to sort out migrant crisis’, RT (17 January 2016)
<https://www.rt.com/news/329215-austria-borders-migrants-schengen/>; Antonia Matthews, ‘Not so liberal now:
Europe’s open doors closing fast’, CNBC – Europe News, (6 January 2016) <http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/06/not-
so-liberal-now-europes-open-doors-closing-fast.html>.
6
See for example: Chris Kenny, ‘Changing the truth: digital media is distorting mainstream coverage’, The
Australian, (Sydney) 21 December 2013, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/changing-the-truth-
digital-media-is-distorting-mainstream-coverage/story-fn8qlm5e-1226787762364>; Balabanova, above n 1, xiii-xiv.
7
See for example: ‘Worldwide displacement hits all time high as war and persecution increase’ UNHCR (Geneva),
18 June 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/558193896.html>; Hereward Holland, ‘Over one million sea arrivals reach
Europe in 2015’ UNHCR (Lesvos, Greece), 30 December 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html>.
8
UNHCR, ‘Refugees/Migrants Emergency Response – Mediterranean Regional Overview, UNHCR (2016)
<http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php>; ‘Asylum Quarterly Report – Statistics Explained’, Eurostat, (10
December 2015) < http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report>; ‘Asylum
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 3 of 31
Germany’s Chancellor Merkel was praised by humanitarian groups for ceasing the application of
the Dublin regulation and opening Germany’s border for Syrians policy.9 However, by the time
the frigid cold winter set in, initially with insufficient food and accommodation for all, the
apparent inability to turn back those that have been officially declined asylum, and the realisation
that it is not stopping with more on the way at an unprecedented scale, there is also a growing
culture clash and impatience between the migrants and the European citizens, and Europe’s ever
increasing fear of the future.10
Chancellor Merkel’s suspension of the Dublin Agreement and the
Schengen Agreement by opening German borders without any migration processing at the
Schengen boundary, and without sufficient preparation does not seem to have served well for
both the asylum seekers and for the European citizens. Attention must be given as to how much
the media has played a role in aggravating the situation that caused both the “push” and “pull”
factors both in Europe and Australasia?11 It is possible that the 24/7 news cycle and social media
have also impacted on the demands made upon receiving country governments in both Western
and neighbouring conflict countries by the international community in resolving seriously
problematic situations; and also how it may have impacted upon the displaced that are wealthy
and healthy enough to make the treacherous journeys en masse.12
and Migration – Statistics Illustrated’, Eurostat, < http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed-
migration/statistics-illustrated>.
9
Andrew McCathie, ‘European Migrant Crisis: Young asylum seekers could be solution to Germany’s economic
challenges’, ABC News (Berlin) 16 September 2015 <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-09/europe-refugee-
crisis-could-be-germany-economic-silver-lining/6760756>; Andrea Dernbach, ‘Germany suspends Dublin
agreement for Syrian refugees’ (Samuel Morgan transl from Der Tagesspiegel) EurActiv (26 August 2015)
<https://www.euractiv.com/section/migrations/news/germany-suspends-dublin-agreement-for-syrian-refugees/>.
10
For example: Erasmus, ‘Diverse, desperate migrants have divided European Christians’, The Economist
(6 September 2015) <http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/09/migrants-christianity-and-europe>
11
Refer to: “The former US President, Clinton….claimed that ‘[b]ecause of a communication revolution,
symbolised most clearly by CNN…. we are front-row history witnesses. We see things as they occur. Now we are
impatient if we learn about things an hour after they occur instead of seeing them in the moment.” as quoted in
Balabanova, n 1, 2; Also Balabanova, n 1, 1-20; Frank Furedi, ‘Europe Migrant Crisis: Merkel’s standing trampled
by flood of migrants, The Australian (22 January 2016) < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/europe-
migrant-crisis-merkels-standing-trampled-by-flood-of-migrants/news-story/e2d8bc1db37cf0f7f786814fe6e4bf76>
12
Ibid, xiii-xiv.
Commented [RWP[4]: This section is good but you have
to ask yourself – how necessary is it for consideration of your
main issue?
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 4 of 31
EUROPEAN FLOOD SCENARIO IN AUSTRALIA
There is now significant concern of when and how this European flood will end.13 This kind of
irregular migration policy could be described as “survival of the fittest and wealthiest.” There is
no order, no control, and these receiving countries have lost their sovereign right to decide who
may enter and live within its borders. It is not sustainable. Decision-makers such as the EU, UN
and NATO need to take further action to not only reconsider their migration policies and laws,
but to also end the causes of these “push” factors, like that achieved in Kosovo during the
1990s.14
In contrast to the other side of the world, Australia is an island nation that has also experienced
unlawful entry by those seeking asylum, refuge, or just a better way of life by air and boat.
Warfare has been the main “push” factor for most Australian irregular migrants, coming mostly
from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sri Lanka.15
Admittedly, the numbers that enter Australia’s
borders are minuscule compared to the numbers in Europe. Nonetheless, Australia has made
headlines here and overseas for its “harsh” and “severe” irregular migration policy, and
accompanying laws and operations.16
13
Furedi, ‘Europe’s migrant crisis’, above n 11.
14
Javier Solana, ‘NATO’s Success in Kosovo’ (1999) Foreign Affairs 78(6), 114-120; ‘NATO’s role in relation to
the conflict in Kosovo’ NATO (15 July 1999) <http://www.nato.int/kosovo/history.htm>.
15
The largest source country for protection visa applicants who arrive by air is China, although the success rate for
this group is quite low. See Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Asylum trends, Australia 2010–11,
DIAC, Canberra, 2011, p. 26, <http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/asylum/_files/asylum-trends-
aus-annual-2010-11.pdf> as cited in Harriet Spinks, ‘Destination Anywhere? Factors affecting asylum seekers’
choice of destination country’, (Research Paper 1, 2012-2013, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia,
2013), 4.
16
‘International Community Condemns Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers during major human rights review
at UN’, Human Rights Law Centre, (Nov 2015) <http://hrlc.org.au/international-community-condemns-australias-
treatment-of-asylum-seekers-during-major-human-rights-review-at-un/>; Jared Owens, ‘UN Human rights review
slams Australia’s asylum seeker policies’ 12 November 2015, The Australian,
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/un-human-rights-review-slams-australias-asylum-
seeker-policies/news-story/29a4c5e8b0ecf94a327f7fe822dfec07>; Amy Maguire, ‘Why does international
condemnation on human rights mean so little to Australia?’ 4 February 2016, The Conversation,
<http://theconversation.com/why-does-international-condemnation-on-human-rights-mean-so-little-to-australia-
53814>; ‘Amnesty International condemns Australia's asylum seeker policies, labels counter-terrorism measures
'regressive' and says global response to terrorist groups 'shameful'’ above n 2; Michael Gordon, ‘New UN human
rights chief attacks Australia over asylum seeker rights 'violations'’, 7 September 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald,
<http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/new-un-human-rights-chief-attacks-australia-over-asylum-
seeker-rights-violations-20140907-10dlkx.html>; ‘The State of the World’s Human Rights’ (2015) Amnesty
International Report 2014/15; ‘UN representatives criticise Abbott government’s boat tow-back policy’, above n 2.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 5 of 31
At the end of 2013, there were more than 51 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, more
than 11 million of those are refugees under UNHCR’s mandate. 17
Considering what has
happened in Europe, it is now conceivable that this could occur in Australia if it was to relax its
sovereign rights to border protection. There are tens of thousands of irregular migrants still
waiting in transit in South East Asia; including millions of Indonesians and Malaysians that live
in abject poverty. It would be highly questionable if a nation of just 24 million could remotely
sustain economically or politically a similar influx after one year, yet alone continual years
thereafter.
Janet Phillips asserts “[t]he concept of an orderly queue does not accord with the reality of the
asylum process.”18
However, using the analogy of an organ transplant waiting list where there
are always more in need of a transplant than there are organs available, it is a sad fact that
innumerous numbers die each year worldwide while waiting for an organ donor. However,
waiting lists are strictly controlled, orderly and distributed based on priority. There is no other
way to operate it to make it more equitable and humane. The best hope is to get a match and
being at the top of the priority list before it is too late.19 So too should irregular migration.
Australia heavily invests in the orderly approach of humanitarian aid and resettlement, and is
consistently ranked as one of the top three countries in the UNHCR Resettlement Program.20
With the exception of neighbouring countries, anarchy does not need to be accepted. Strategies
(that are beyond the scope of this essay for discussion) can be put in place to avoid such chaos.
When migratory movement are at the volume demonstrated last year in Europe in such a short
space of time, it is unrealistic to provide the utopic refuge that is expected. The result of this
migration wave was mostly due to the “push” factor of fleeing war, conflict and persecution.
However, it was also partly due to the “pull” factor of Europe providing an open border safe
17
UNHCR, Global trends 2013, Geneva, June 2014.
18
Janet Phillips, ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: what are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series 2014-15, Parliamentary
Library, Parliament of Australia, 2 March 2015), 5-6.
19
Rachael Rettner, ‘Lung Donor System: How kids may slip through the cracks’, Live Science (6 June 2013)
<http://www.livescience.com/37248-lung-donation-priority.html>; ‘Patient Info: Organ Donation: Kidney
transplants and organ transplantation’, Patient, <http://patient.info/doctor/organ-donation-pro>.
20
Elibritt Karlsen, ‘Refugee resettlement to Australia: What are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series, 2014-15,
Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, February 2015), 5.
Commented [RWP[5]: Why not?
Commented [RWP[6]: What do you mean by this?
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 6 of 31
haven with no restrictions, better living conditions, and generous welfare.21 The majority from
the East had already fled the immediate threat and were taking refuge in neighbouring countries
such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.22
Those coming from Sub-Sahara Africa travelled from
afar over desert in the hope of getting a boat to Italy, Spain or Malta.23
If Europe protected its
Schengen borders by closing and protecting them like that done in Australia, invested more
heavily in permanent resettlement, more collaboration and investment in the process of asylum
with neighbouring refuge countries from where the migrants come, it is conceivable that a more
orderly, safer, and humane permanent resettlement process could have been achieved.
2. PEOPLE SMUGGLING
People smuggling is not new, but in the new post-Cold War period of the 1990s, there was a
spike in irregular migration into Western Europe and the United States, along with increased
transnational organised crime.24
In an international response, negotiations of a treaty which
explicitly criminalised people smuggling was created.25
People smuggling is officially described as “… the procurement, in order to obtain, directly or
indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, of the illegal entry of a person into a State Party of which
the person is not a national or a permanent resident.”26
21
Natalie Banulescu-Bogdan and Susan Fratzke, ‘Europe’s Migration Crisis in Context: Why now and what next?’
Migration Information Source (24 September 2015) <http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/europe-migration-
crisis-context-why-now-and-what-next>
22
‘Syria Regional Refugee Response - Interagency information Sharing Portal’ UNHCR, (17 February 2016)
<http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php#>
23
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum levels and trends in industrialized countries 2014:
statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected non-European countries, UNHCR, 2015,
10 <http://www.unhcr.org/551128679.html>
24
Andreas Schlöenhardt, ‘Migrant Smuggling and Organised Crime in Australia’ (2011) (Research Paper, Migrant
Smuggling Working Group, University of Queensland, 2011), 14.
25
Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention
against Transnational Organized Crime, opened for signature 15 November 2000, GA Res 55/25, 2241 UNTS 507
(entered into force 28 January 2004) art 3(a), (Smuggling of Migrants Protocol).
26
Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, art 3(a).
Commented [RWP[7]: defined
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 7 of 31
People smuggling essentially occurs when borders exist that require unattainable legal
documents, and there is a demand for better living conditions, and freedom and relative safety -
all of which are mostly available in prosperous western countries. Smugglers exploit these
desires by setting up highly profitable businesses by facilitating these migrants to cross these
borders unlawfully.27 It is extremely dangerous for the migrants but highly lucrative for the
smugglers.28
As per article 6 of this protocol, migrant smuggling is a criminal offence. State
Party signatories, such as Australia, are subsequently expected to incorporate treaty obligations
into domestic law and other measures to ensure the prevention, investigation and prosecution of
these smugglers.29 Importantly, Article 5 of the Protocol recognises that the migrants whom use
these smugglers are not liable to prosecution.30
It is under this protocol that Australia’s current
migration laws serve better in comparison to Europe’s in that since the election of the current
government, only one smuggled boat has succeeded.
As mentioned in Article 5, there are other related international treaties of which Australia is a
member. While more specific and detailed discussion on other human rights related treaties are
beyond the scope of this essay, suffice to say they have created limitations on how Australia
design their laws and operations. However, ways have been found to interpret and work with
them, which will be discuss later on how this is accomplished.
3. CURRENT INTERPRETATION OF SOVEREIGNTY
Since the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia, States have increasingly recognised each other’s authority
of self-determination. Three hundred years later, the concept of sovereignty has been codified in
the Charter of the United Nations.31 Originally having absolute independence within its borders,
27
Mattias Neske, ‘Human Smuggling to and through Germany’, (2006) International Migration, 44(4), 121-122,
124.
28
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Issue Paper: A Short Introduction to People Smuggling, Un Doc
(2010), 13.
29
Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, art 6.
30
Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, art 5.
31
See Charter of the United Nations, opened for signature 26 June 1945, 1 UNTS XVI (entered into force 24
October 1945) Article 2(7) as cited in Anne L Clunan, ‘Ch 1 – Redefining Sovereignty: Humanitarianism’s
Commented [RWP[8]: does that not depend on what the
laws are meant to do?
Commented [RWP[9]: party
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 8 of 31
its responsibilities as a sovereign state was protecting its people through law and order within,
and the control of movement of individuals in and out of its borders. Since the end of World War
II, the establishment of the United Nations and the growing concept of individualist
globalisation, sovereignty has now developed into an authority in which its international
obligations are challenging its continued authority of its borders.32 Particularly with the recent
unprecedented increase of international diaspora since the end of World War II, along with
terrorist concerns experienced by Western States, the overwhelming pressure to honour
international customary and treaty law is threatening this last bastion of sovereignty to decide
who may enter, live, and be removed.33 In response with this increasing threat, many States are
now turning to law enforcement, military and detention measures which, in turn, is often
interpreted by the international community as violating international human rights obligations.34
Burmester argues that there is now a more global interdependence between countries and people.
It is no longer a sovereign duty to protect the people from foreign threats but to enable people
more global economic connectivity and universal human right standards. Although the creation
of the United Nations Charter legitimises sovereign authority, it and customary international law
does not recognise its absoluteness. Burmester explains that just like individuals do not have
absolute rights, neither do States within the international community. Indeed, since it is the
members themselves that create an international treaty, ratifying that treaty is taking acceptance
of its partial loss of internal sovereign rights, but at the same time demonstrates having the
ability to even enter into an international treaty is a sovereign right in itself. 35
Challenge to Sovereign Immunity’ in Michaelene Cox and Noah Shawki (eds), Negotiating Sovereignty and Human
Rights, (Ashgate Publishing Group 2009), 7.
32
See Richard Perruchoud, ‘Ch 5 – State Sovereignty and Freedom of Movement’ in Brian Opeskin, Richard
Perruchoud and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), International Migration Law (Cambridge University Press 2012)
123; and Aristide R Zolberg, ‘Changing Sovereignty Games and International Migration’ (1994) Fall Global Legal
Studies Journal 2(1), 153-169, 166.
33
Richard Perruchoud, ‘Ch 5 – State Sovereignty and Freedom of Movement’ in Brian Opeskin, Richard
Perruchoud and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), International Migration Law (Cambridge University Press 2012)
124-125.
34
Ryszard Piotrowicz and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross, ‘Ch 9 – Human Trafficking and Smuggling’ in Brian Opeskin,
Richard Perruchoud and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), International Migration Law (Cambridge University Press
2012) 247.
35
Henry Burmester, ‘National Sovereignty, Independence and the impact of treaties and international standards’,
(1995) Sydney Law Review, 17(127), 129, 130, 133.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 9 of 31
Even in Australia’s Seas and Submerged Lands Case, Stephen J held that since World War II,
national rights are a product of international relations and international law:
‘It is international intercourse between nation states which is the substance of a nation’s
external affairs. Treaties and conventions to which a nation may become a party form, no
doubt, an important part of those affairs, but ‘external affairs’ will also include matters
which are not consensual in character; conduct on the part of a nation, or of its nationals,
which affects other nations and its relations with them are external affairs of that nation
…’36
4. AUSTRALIA’S SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS TO
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES IN GENERAL
In the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969), a treaty37 is defined as
“…an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by
international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or two or more related
instruments and whatever its particular designation.” 38
As expected in ratifying a treaty, a State Party such as Australia, is expected to honour their
obligations in good faith, otherwise it is not a treaty as per article 26 of the Vienna Convention.39
Further, as per article 27 a State Party cannot enact domestic law that intentionally contravenes
its obligations of the treaty; doing so would breach the treaty and the State’s international
responsibility.40
36
New South Wales v Commonwealth (1975) 135 CLR 337.
37
Also known as a ‘protocol’, ‘charter’, ‘covenant’, ‘pact’, ‘statute’, or ‘arrangement’; Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 -
Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard
Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 57.
38
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331 (entered into
force 27 January 1980) art. 2(1)(a).
39
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331 (entered into
force 27 January 1980) art. 26 as cited in Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in
Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds),
(2012 Cambridge University Press), 57, 65.
40
Applicability of the Obligation to Arbitrate under Section 21 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement of 26
June 1947 (Advisory Opinion) [1988] ICJ Rep 12, 26 as cited in Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international
Commented [RWP[10]: what do you mean by ‘an
obligation to a treaty’?
Commented [RWP[11]: that is correct, but failure to
abide by an obligation does not stop the treaty being a
treaty.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 10 of 31
DUALIST PRINCIPLE
Australia incorporates the “dualist principle”41
in its application to international law, in that it
treats it as a separate legal system to that of Australia’s own, and therefore not legally binding
unless it has been legislatively incorporated into domestic statute law.42
Reiterated by Mason CJ and Dean J in Teoh.43
‘It is well established that the provisions of an international treaty to which Australia is a
party do not form part of Australian law unless these provisions have been validly
incorporated into our municipal law by statute. This principle has its foundation in the
proposition that in our constitutional system the making and ratification of treaties fall
within the province of the Executive in the exercise of its prerogative power whereas the
making and the alteration of the law fall within the province of Parliament, not the
Executive. So, a treaty which has not been incorporated into our municipal law cannot
operate as a direct source of individual rights and obligations under that law.’44
Donaghue45
thought this problematic in whether an international treaty is still legally binding
when there is an expectation for domestic laws to adopt the treaty by the Legislature when it has
already been ratified by the Executive. If this is so, Donaghue asked whether this meant that the
Executive now has the power to legislate law without Parliamentary assent.46 The Australian
government interestingly asserts47
that domestic laws will already be aligned to international
treaty obligations before the Executive decides to ratify a treaty. If so, surely this would allow
migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne
Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 66.
41
Also known as ‘transformed theory’.
42
George Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the External Affairs
Power in Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, 6th
ed (2014 Federation Press), 885 [20.1].
43
Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (Teoh) (1995) 183 CLR 273, at [286]-[287] cited in George
Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the External Affairs Power in
Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, 6th
ed (2014 Federation Press), 887 [20.5] [20.9].
44
Teoh (1995) 128 ALR 353, 361-362; see also Dietrich v R (1992) 117 CLR 292 at 305, per Mason CJ and
McHugh J; at 321, per Brennan J; at 360.
45
Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in
Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 223-224.
46
Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in
Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 226.
47
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, Treaty making process,
<http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/treaties/treaty-making-process/pages/treaty-making-process.aspx>;
Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in
Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 248.
Commented [RWP[12]: It is binding upon Australia at
international law once ratified, whether or not it has been
incorporated.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 11 of 31
the judiciary the ability to interpret existing domestic law relevant to international law.
Contrarily, there is vexation within the judiciary of having to utilise Teoh’s Principle to
persuasively influence international law upon common law when statute or subordinate
legislation is ambiguous.48
Therefore in reality, this dualist principle creates a lacuna between
domestic law and international treaty obligations, placing Australia at risk of violating a treaty.49
MONIST PRINCIPLE
In contrast since World War Two, most States50 have incorporated treaty obligations directly into
domestic law, some of which are even self-executory. Known as the monist principle,
international law becomes legally binding on their domestic law and prevails even over enacted
domestic legislation.51 Adopted into their respective constitutions52, some form of legislature
approval is required before a treaty is ratified. But once approved and published, the treaty is
automatically adopted and prevailing over domestic law.53
That is, the treaty instruments are
directly interpreted into existing legislation as per international interpretative rules.54
Whether
this international jurisprudence could be adopted in Australia, or interfere with its sovereign
authority, or contravene Australia’s Constitution, are unknown. Nevertheless, Australia utilises s
51(xxix) to make laws in relation to external affairs when it ratifying a treaty. Currently, under
Australia’s dualist principle, not only are there possibilities of violating its treaty obligations by
not adopting the treaty into domestic law, but when it does enact domestic law, it does so with
the additional risk of possibly broadening the construction of the provisions to the point it
becoming repugnant to the treaty.55
48
Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273, [287]-[288] as cited in George Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20
– International Law and the External Affairs Power in Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, 6th
ed (2014
Federation Press), 887 [20.9].
49
Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in
Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 231.
50
Such as Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Argentina, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the United States, Austria,
Italy, Luxembourg, Republic of Korea, Japan and Brazil
51
Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law,
Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 66.
52
With the exception of Belgium as listed in n51.
53
Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law, 234-239.
54
Ibid 231-32.
55
Ibid 232.
Commented [RWP[13]: These sections on incorporation
could have been omitted. It is good that you understand the
principles but they do not need to be explained separately in
this essay; you just need to refer to them – where
appropriate – in your discussion of the main issue, which is
migration law, not the relationship between international
and Australian law
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 12 of 31
5. DOMESTIC MIGRATION LAW AS OBLIGATED TO
INTERNATION HUMAN RIGHTS RELATED
CONVENTIONS
OPERATION SOVEREIGN BORDERS
In the last 16 odd years, three different governments have made their mark on their policies with
respect to irregular migration. Since the election of the current Government, a suite of border
protection and immigration policies collectively known as Operation Sovereign Borders has been
legally implemented. To become operational, several legislative amendments56 were passed
through Parliament, mostly affecting the Migration Act 1958 (Cth), several other existing Acts, 57
and the creation of the Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth). With the exception of two bills
that are currently in the House of Representatives,58 all are now Acts of Parliament and
operational.
In order to protect its sovereignty, Australia’s ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’ has taken a very
narrow interpretation of its obligation to international human rights related treaties, by putting in
place rigorous policies, laws, and operational procedures that have now severely curtailed the
people smugglers ability to transport irregular migrants into Australia by boat. In spite of the
international community being highly critical of Australia’s interpretation of its human rights
legal obligations with regards to sea interdiction, Australia’s highest judiciary have, on the
56
Australian Border Force Bill 2015 (Cth); Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force)
Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth); Migration
Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth) (still in HOR); Migration
Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Complementary
Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of
Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill
2014 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment
(Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015; Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth)
(returned to HOR), Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy
Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth); Migration Bill 2013 (Cth); Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014. (Cth)
57
Customs Act 1901 (Cth); Maritime Powers Act 2013 (Cth); the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
(Cth); Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth); Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act
1979 (Cth); Crimes Act 1914 (Cth); Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth); Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth);
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth).
58
Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015; Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation
Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 13 of 31
whole, supported the legality of these arrangements.59 Most importantly, these domestic laws are
achieving the object of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, whilst not contravening any human
rights related law at the international judiciary level.60
HUMAN RIGHTS (PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY) ACT (2011) CTH
Since the enactment of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act (2011) Cth (“Human
Rights Act”), each Schedule of a Bill that is introduced into Parliament is accompanied with a
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights.61 This is to ensure “parliamentary scrutiny of
new laws for consistency with Australia’s human rights obligations and to encourage early and
ongoing consideration of human rights issues in policy and legislative development.”62
Detailed
as an attachment in the Bill’s Explanatory Memorandum, the Statement provides an overview
and reason for the Bill, and then details each section’s compatibility with human rights that have
been defined as “the rights and freedoms recognised or declared by the seven core United
Nations human rights treaties as they apply to Australia.63
In addition, as per Part 2 of the
Human Rights Act, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights also scrutinises these
Bills and other legislative instruments and report their findings before both Houses to ensure
compatibility of international human right covenants to which Australia is a party. Accordingly,
59
See CPCF V Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 89 ALJR 207; Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister
for Immigration and Border Protection [2016] HCA 1.
60
A search through UNHRC communication views for the last five years have found no Australian listings with a
negative view.
61
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth) s 8 (‘Human Rights Act’).
62
Explanatory Memorandum, Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010, 271.
63
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, opened for signature 21
December 1965, 660 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969);
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 999 UNTS 302;
(entered into force 23 March 1976);
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993
UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976);
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature, 7 November
1967, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 18 December 1979);
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature, 7 November
1967, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 18 December 1979);
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, opened for
signature 10 December 1984, 1465 UNTS 85 (entered into force 26 June 1987);
Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2
September 1990); Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, opened for signature 30 March 2007, 2515
UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 May 2008);
Explanatory Memorandum, Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010, 3.
Commented [RWP[14]: Are you going to discuss these
arguments?
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 14 of 31
the Australian Parliament has ensured a system that enables each bill to pass and assent into an
Act of Parliament that complies with Australia’s interpretation of its international human right
treaty obligations.64
As an example, a new section 22(A) Maritime Powers Act was added that essentially purports
that domestic law executed by the Executive will prevail over international law and Australia’s
international obligations. Specifically, in this matter at 19-20[17] of the Explanatory
Memorandum:
“The Australian Government takes its international obligations seriously, and Australia is
bound to act in compliance with its international obligations as a matter of international
law. This amendment does not seek to change that fact. Appropriate measures are always
taken to ensure that operational activities involving the exercise of maritime powers comply
with Australia’s international obligations. This amendment merely reflects the intention that
the interpretation and application of such obligations is, in this context, a matter for the
executive government. The Parliament’s intent in passing this amendment is that it be put
beyond doubt that Australia’s international obligations, the international obligations of
other countries and other countries’ domestic law cannot form the basis of an invalidation of
the exercise of the powers in Division 2 of Part 2 as a matter of domestic law.”65
CASE EXAMPLE: CPCF V MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND BORDER
PROTECTION
As an example of Australia’s validity in its compliance with international law, Australia’s High
Court recently upheld Australia’s new migration and maritime power laws in the CPCF v
Minister for Immigration and Border Protection case with the UNHCR appearing as amicus
curiae. 66 French CJ summarised:
64
Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights,
<http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Human_Rights>; Human Rights Act s 7.
65
Explanatory Memorandum for the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy
Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), 19-20[17].
66
(2015) 89 ALJR 207.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 15 of 31
at 215-216[4] The central question to this case was whether maritime powers under the
Maritime Powers Act (2013) Cth (‘MPA’), and/or the non-statutory executive power of the
Commonwealth derived from s 61 of the Constitution67
, authorised the detention and taking
of the plaintiff from Australia's contiguous zone to India. The particular questions and the
answers to them were set out at the end of these reasons and are substantially to the effect
that the detention and taking of the plaintiff was lawful pursuant to s 72(4)68
of the MPA.
Section 72(4) of the Migration Powers Act (2013) Cth was amended via the Migration and
Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 and assented
into an Act of Parliament on 15 December 2014. In the Explanatory Memorandum of the Bill, it
stated that s 72 was amended to the Migration Powers Act for clarification on the provision to
move vessels and persons, and related provisions; and to explicitly provide the Minister with a
power to give specific and general instructions about the exercise of powers under s 72 to ensure
the government has appropriate oversight.69 The amendment was also very specific with respect
to natural justice and Australia’s international obligations:
[P]rovide that the rules of natural justice do not apply to a range of powers in the Maritime
Powers Act, including the powers to authorise the exercise of maritime powers, the new
Ministerial powers and the exercise of powers to hold and move vessels and persons; and
ensure that the exercise of a range of powers cannot be invalidated because a court
considers there has been a failure to consider, properly consider, or comply with Australia’s
international obligations, or the international obligations or domestic law of any other
country;70
67
S 61 of the Constitution (Executive Powers): “The executive power of the Commonwealth is vested in the Queen
and is exercisable by the Governor-General as the Queen‘s representative, and extends to the execution and
maintenance of this Constitution, and of the laws of the Commonwealth.”
68
Maritime Powers Act 2013 (Cth) (‘MPA’) s 72(4) (which relates to persons on detained vessels and aircraft)
states: “A maritime officer may detain the person and take the person, or cause the person to be taken, to a place
(the destination).” This provision must be read in conjunction with s 74 of the Act which states: “A maritime officer
must not place or keep a person in a place, unless the officer is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that it is safe for
the person to be in that place.”
69
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload)
Bill 2014 (Cth), 2.
70
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload)
Bill 2014 (Cth), 3.
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 16 of 31
NON-REFOULEMENT OBLIGATION
When complying with non-refoulement obligations, the Australian government did not expect
legislative provisions to be strained beyond its intent of purpose for personal effect. For example,
as stated in the Explanatory Memorandum for the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation
(Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), specific amendments were made as a
result of previous court cases71
that made “broadly and unintended” interpretations to s 198 of
the Migration Act. At 166 [1142] of the memorandum which stated:
Australia will continue to meet its non-refoulement obligations through other mechanisms
and not through the removal powers in section 198 of the Migration Act. For example,
Australia’s non-refoulement obligations will be met through the protection visa application
process or the use of the Minister’s personal powers in the Migration Act, including those
under sections 46A, 195A or 417 of the Migration Act.72
In other words, consideration of Australia’s non-refoulement obligations would already have
been determined by other processes prior to the decision for removal.73 Therefore s 198 is meant
to be interpreted as an operational provision for the representative of the Executive, and thus the
element of non-refoulement is not required for consideration in that provision at that time.74
OBLIGATIONS TO DETENTION
In terms of detention as a result of the cancellation, revocation or refusal of a visa as per s 189 of
the Migration Act, the relevant Explanatory Memorandum Statement of Compatibility with
Human Rights75
notes that:
71
See specifically M38/2002 v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCAFC 131;
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33; Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for
Immigration and Citizenship [2011] HCA 32; Plaintiff M61/2010E v Commonwealth of Australia &Ors/Plaintiff
M69 of 2010 v Commonwealth of Australian & Ors [2010] HCA 42; Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v
SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33;
72
Also refer to Explanatory Memorandum for the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the
Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), Appendix A, 4-
73
For example, upon application for a visa or when the Minister was using his/her powers pursuant to 46A, 195A or
417 of the Migration Act .
74
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload)
Bill 2014 (Cth), 165[1128]–167[1146]; Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974
(Fiona Nash)
75
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth), 5.
Commented [RWP[15]: What do you mean by this?
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 17 of 31
“… The Australian Government’s position is that the detention of individuals requesting
protection is neither unlawful nor arbitrary per se under international law. Continuing
detention may become arbitrary after a certain period of time without proper justification.
The determining factor, however, is not the length of detention, but whether the grounds for
the detention are justifiable.”
CONSEQUENCES AVOIDED
As a consequence of detracting sovereign rights to protect borders, comparatively those whom
have made the journey or have already started their journey in last year’s mass European
migration, and have had to endure the brutal European winter,76
it is highly questionable if they
are in any better situation than Australian irregular migrants in offshore detention centres in
terms of basic provisions of food, security, health care, and accommodation. Particularly due to
the Dublin agreement, hundreds are living on the streets in the southern European countries of
Italy and Greece.77 UNHCR and Europe’s misplaced good intentions could actually be
encouraging and enabling those already in refuge to take the treacherous risk of taking a boat
smuggled across the seas sadly resulting in the migrants playing a zero sum game. By
encouraging receiving coastal countries to actively patrol, rescue, and bring back smuggled boats
from the waters where irregular routes lie, is arguably encouraging people smugglers to make the
journey as they will know they would be picked up. This method has been purposely used by
Indonesian people smugglers with reports of the smugglers instructing boat captains to radio
assistance to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority before they have even left the Indonesian
76
See as examples: Matthew Holehouse and Melanie Hall, ‘Refugees will freeze to death, EU warns’, The
Telegraph (Brussels and Berlin), 25 October 2015
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11954037/Refugees-will-freeze-to-death-warn-EU-
head.html>; ‘Freezing migrants cry foul as colds bites’, The Local, 20 October 2015
<http://www.thelocal.de/20151020/freezing-migrants-cry-foul-as-german-cold-bites>; Tom Miles, ‘Children on
Syrian refugee route could freeze to death: UN’, Reuters (Geneva) 19 January 2016
<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-winter-idUSKCN0UX1SB>.
77
See as examples: Harriet Grant and John Domokos, ‘Dublin regulation leaves asylum seekers with their fingers
burnt’, The Guardian (8 October 2011) <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/dublin-regulation-
european-asylum-seekers>; Patrick J Lyons, ‘Explaining the Rules for Migrants: Borders and Asylum’, The New
York Times, (16 September 2015) <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/world/europe/europe-refugees-migrants-
rules.html?_r=0>.
Commented [RWP[16]: Is it correct? This needs to be
discussed
Commented [RWP[17]: Perhaps – but that is a policy
rather than a legal issue. Whether one agrees with
Australia’s policy or not, the issue is – does Australia’s policy
conform to its international legal obligations?
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 18 of 31
port, with the then Gillard Government being accused of operating policies that cause the
Australian Navy to being nothing more than “water taxis for people smugglers”.78
Meanwhile, millions are being left behind whom cannot afford air fares or smugglers, or are too
ill, frail or disabled to make the journey.79 This “survival of the fittest and wealthiest” policy
welcomed by human rights activists and implemented by Europe can hardly be equitable, just,
and safe for the majority left behind for weeks, months, years, or sadly some cases for
generations.80
Equally unfair are those whom have been waiting patiently (many in squalid
camps or detention centres) in Africa and the Middle East waited patiently, again sadly in some
cases for years, 81
after being approved to get permanent resettlement, only to be told to wait
even longer because someone fitter, healthier, wealthier and more audacious has taken their
place.82
78
See for example: Abbott (Leader of the Opposition), Transcript of the Hon. Tony Abbott MHR joint doorstop
interview with Mr Craig Laundy, Liberal candidate for Reid, Sydney, 12 July 2012, viewed 22 November 2012,
<http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F1829854
%22>; Paul Maley and Peter Alford, ‘Smugglers' distress call rescue tactic’, The Australian, 12 July 2012,
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/smugglers-distress-call-rescue-tactic/story-
fn9hm1gu-1226423932962> ; also cited in Cat Barker, ‘The people smugglers’ business model’ (Research Paper No
2, 2012/13, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 28 February 2013), 9.
79
Sara Malm, ‘Syrian wives and mothers left behind condemn men who have fled the country…’, Daily Mail
Australia, (8 October 2015) <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3263593/Syrian-wives-mothers-left-
condemn-men-fled-country-ask-free-protect-wrong-leave-country.html>; ‘Older Syrian refugees ‘forgotten’ by aid
agencies’, Age International <https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/latest-news/Older-Syrian-refugees-forgotten-by-
aid-agencies-claims-new-report--/>; Rachel Reilly, ‘Disabilities among Refugees and conflict-affected populations’
Forced Migration Review (July 2010) <http://www.fmreview.org/disability-and-displacement/rachael-reilly.html>.
80
See as example: Aamna Mohdin, ‘When refugee camps last for three generations, we must accept they’re going
nowhere’, SBS News (2 December 2015) <http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/01/when-refugees-camps-
last-three-generations-we-must-accept-theyre-not-going>.
81
See as example: Mohdin, ‘When refugee camps last for three generations, we must accept they’re going nowhere’.
82
Karlsen, above n 19, 11; Adrienne Millbank, ‘The problem with the 1951 Refugee Convention’, (Research Paper
5 2000-01, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 5 September 2000).
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 19 of 31
CONCLUSION
What seems clear from examining the second readings83 and Statements of Compatibility with
Human Rights in the explanatory memorandums84
of the new and amending legislation relating
to migration and maritime Australian law, is that the current Government has set very clear,
strict, but fair domestic laws that uphold Australia’s sovereign authority to protect the population
and its borders. At the same time, it is committing domestic laws to their interpretation of
compliance with Australia’s international treaty obligations. Indeed, the Australian Government
confirms that ratifying a treaty does not interfere with Australia’s sovereign rights, but just
influences the way domestic laws are interpreted.85
Regretfully, some operational processes are
not perfect and detention has been protracted caused in part by an extensive backlog from the
previous government by up to 30,000 claims.86
Understandably, this is not a Utopian situation,
and not unexpectedly popular with human rights activists. Considering the global number of
displaced persons, the majority will never have the opportunity to make the journeys that the
relative minority can afford or are physically capable of doing so. Australia cannot resolve the
global refugee crisis, but once Australia has cleared the backlog of claims, what will remain is
Australia’s commitment to investing in a more orderly permanent humanitarian refugee
83
See specifically Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 February 2015, 1201,
1204, 1208, (Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 September 2014,
10325 (Scott Morrison); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 10 February 2016, 9
(Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 14 October 2014, 11120 (Peter
Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 June 2014, 7278 (Scott Morrison);
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 June 2015, 7488 (Peter Dutton);
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 16 September 2015, 10343 (Peter Dutton);
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash); Commonwealth,
Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 12 December 2013, 2590 (Scott Morrison); Commonwealth,
Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 27 March 2014, 3328 (Scott Morrison);
84
See specifically: Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation)
Bill 2014 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential
Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and
Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order
of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Protection
and Other Measures) Bill 2014 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over
Australia’s Protection Obligations) Bill 2013 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regional
Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers
Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Bill 2013 (Cth); Explanatory
Memorandum, Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (Cth).
85
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, Treaty making process,
<http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/treaties/treaty-making-process/pages/treaty-making-process.aspx>.
86
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash).
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 20 of 31
resettlement process that prioritises on need and available resources. In doing so, it demonstrates
that Australia has not been adversely impeded by its legal obligation to international law and still
able to maintain sovereignty by interdicting people smuggling from countries such as Malaysia
and Indonesia. In contrast, by attempting to fulfil its legal obligations and admiral goals to
provide humanitarian aid by enacting an unsustainably chaotic and hazardous “survival of the
fittest and wealthiest” open border policy, the EU appears to be fighting within, risking not only
losing layers of sovereignty, but possibly imploding altogether.
Word count: 4,615
This is a very impressive piece of work and it was a pleasure to read it. It is wide-ranging,
systematic and coherent. You make very good use of primary and secondary sources. You
could have left out some bits which are not crucial to your discussion of the core issue – for
instance your discussion (which in itself is good) of the link between international law and
Australian law. Most importantly, you could, and should, have engaged more critically
with the legality of Australia’s policy by exposing it to a closer analysis in light of
Australia’s international obligations. In doing so you would then have the opportunity to
show your understanding of the legal regime.
Think about these points, and my comments on the text, and consider how you can apply
them to your essays in other modules.
Mark: 80%
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 21 of 31
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Articles/Books/Reports
‘Amnesty International condemns Australia's asylum seeker policies, labels counter-terrorism
measures 'regressive' and says global response to terrorist groups 'shameful'’ 24 February
2015, ABC News Online, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-25/amnesty-condemns-
australia's-asylum-seeker-policies/6261348>
Austria suspends Schengen agreement, steps up border control, tells EU to sort out migrant
crisis’, RT (17 January 2016) <https://www.rt.com/news/329215-austria-borders-migrants-
schengen/>
Bachelard, Michael and Sarah Whyte, ‘UN representatives criticise Abbott government’s boat
tow-back policy’, The Sydney Morning Herald (23 April 2014)
<http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/un-representatives-criticise-
abbott-governments-boat-towback-policy-20140422-zqxz1>
Balabanova, Ekatarina, ‘Media, Wars and Politics, (Ashgate 2013)
Barker, Cat, ‘The people smugglers’ business model’ (Research Paper No 2, 2012/13,
Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 28 February 2013)
Banulescu-Bogdan, Natalie and Susan Fratzke, ‘Europe’s Migration Crisis in Context: Why now
and what next?’ Migration Information Source (24 September 2015)
<http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/europe-migration-crisis-context-why-now-and-
what-next>
Barbière, Cécile, ‘EU leaders shy away from revamping the asylum policy’, EurActiv (28 April
2015) <http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-leaders-shy-away-
from-revamping-the-asylum-policy/>
Burmester, Henry, ‘National Sovereignty, Independence and the Impact of Treaties and
International Standards’ (1995) 17 Sydney Law Review, 127-149
Chetail, Vincent, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International
Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012
Cambridge University Press)
Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Annual report 2011–12, Commonwealth of
Australia, 2012, http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2011-12/pdf/index.htm
Donaghue, Stephen, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of
International Law in Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review, 213-267
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 22 of 31
Dudman, Jane, ‘UN Envoy: Europe faces daunting task on refugees but housing a human right’,
The Guardian, (5 December 2015) http://www.theguardian.com/housing-
network/2015/dec/05/un-envoy-europe-refugees-housing-human-right-leilani-farha>
Dernbach, Andrea, ‘Germany suspends Dublin agreement for Syrian refugees’ (Samuel Morgan
transl from Der Tagesspiegel) EurActiv (26 August 2015)
<https://www.euractiv.com/section/migrations/news/germany-suspends-dublin-agreement-
for-syrian-refugees/>
‘Freezing migrants cry foul as colds bites’, The Local, 20 October 2015
<http://www.thelocal.de/20151020/freezing-migrants-cry-foul-as-german-cold-bites>;
Furedi, Frank, ‘Europe Migrant Crisis: Merkel’s standing trampled by flood of migrants, The
Australian (22 January 2016) < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/europe-
migrant-crisis-merkels-standing-trampled-by-flood-of-migrants/news-
story/e2d8bc1db37cf0f7f786814fe6e4bf76>
Gordon, Michael, ‘New UN human rights chief attacks Australia over asylum seeker rights
'violations'’, 7 September 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald,
<http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/new-un-human-rights-chief-
attacks-australia-over-asylum-seeker-rights-violations-20140907-10dlkx.html>
Grant, Harriet and John Domokos, ‘Dublin regulation leaves asylum seekers with their fingers
burnt’, The Guardian (8 October 2011)
<http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/dublin-regulation-european-asylum-
seekers>
Erasmus, ‘Diverse, desperate migrants have divided European Christians’, The Economist
(6 September 2015) <http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/09/migrants-
christianity-and-europe>
‘Europe’s closing borders: Support for free travel contingent on better law and order’, Wall
Street Journal (7 January 2016) <http://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-closing-borders-
1452212006>
Holehouse, Matthew, and Melanie Hall, ‘Refugees will freeze to death, EU warns’,
The Telegraph (Brussels and Berlin), 25 October 2015
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11954037/Refugees-will-freeze-
to-death-warn-EU-head.html>
Holland, Hereward, ‘Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015’ UNHCR (Lesvos,
Greece), 30 December 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html>
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 23 of 31
Human Rights Law Centre, ‘International Community Condemns Australia’s treatment of
asylum seekers during major human rights review at UN’, (Nov 2015)
<http://hrlc.org.au/international-community-condemns-australias-treatment-of-asylum-
seekers-during-major-human-rights-review-at-un/>;
Karlsen, Elibritt, ‘Australia’s offshore processing of asylum seekers in Nauru and PNG: a quick
guide to the statistics’ (Research Paper Series, 2015-16, Parliamentary Library, Parliament
of Australia, 2015)
Karlsen, Elibritt, ‘Refugee resettlement to Australia: What are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series,
2014-15, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, February 2015)
Kenny, Chris, ‘Changing the truth: digital media is distorting mainstream coverage’,
The Australian, (Sydney) 21 December 2013,
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/changing-the-truth-digital-media-is-
distorting-mainstream-coverage/story-fn8qlm5e-1226787762364>
Lyons, Patrick J, ‘Explaining the Rules for Migrants: Borders and Asylum’, The New York
Times, (16 September 2015) <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/world/europe/europe-
refugees-migrants-rules.html?_r=0>
Maguire, Amy, ‘Why does international condemnation on human rights mean so little to
Australia?’ 4 February 2016, The Conversation, <http://theconversation.com/why-does-
international-condemnation-on-human-rights-mean-so-little-to-australia-53814>
Maley, Paul and Peter Alford, ‘Smugglers' distress call rescue tactic’, The Australian, 12 July
2012, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/smugglers-distress-
call-rescue-tactic/story-fn9hm1gu-1226423932962>
Matthews, Antonia, ‘Not so liberal now: Europe’s open doors closing fast’, CNBC – Europe
News, (6 January 2016) <http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/06/not-so-liberal-now-europes-
open-doors-closing-fast.html>
McCathie, Andrew, ‘European Migrant Crisis: Young asylum seekers could be solution to
Germany’s economic challenges’, ABC News (Berlin) 16 September 2015
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-09/europe-refugee-crisis-could-be-germany-
economic-silver-lining/6760756>
Malm, Sara, ‘Syrian wives and mothers left behind condemn men who have fled the country…’,
Daily Mail Australia, (8 October 2015) <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-
3263593/Syrian-wives-mothers-left-condemn-men-fled-country-ask-free-protect-wrong-
leave-country.html>
Melchior, Jillian Kaye ‘Why so many of Europe’s migrants are men?’, National Review, (12
October 2015) <http://www.nationalreview.com/article/425398/why-europes-migrants-are-
men
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 24 of 31
Miles, Tom, ‘Children on Syrian refugee route could freeze to death: UN’, Reuters (Geneva),
19 January 2016 <http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-winter-
idUSKCN0UX1SB>
Mohdin, Aamna, ‘When refugee camps last for three generations, we must accept they’re going
nowhere’, SBS News (2 December 2015)
<http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/01/when-refugees-camps-last-three-
generations-we-must-accept-theyre-not-going>
‘NATO’s role in relation to the conflict in Kosovo’ NATO (15 July 1999)
<http://www.nato.int/kosovo/history.htm>
Neske, Mattias, ‘Human Smuggling to and through Germany’, (2006) International Migration,
44(4), 121-163
‘Older Syrian refugees ‘forgotten’ by aid agencies’, Age International
<https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/latest-news/Older-Syrian-refugees-forgotten-by-aid-
agencies-claims-new-report--/>
Owens, Jared, ‘UN Human rights review slams Australia’s asylum seeker policies’ 12 November
2015, The Australian, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/un-
human-rights-review-slams-australias-asylum-seeker-policies/news-
story/29a4c5e8b0ecf94a327f7fe822dfec07>
Peter, Laurence, ‘Migrant Crisis: Who does the EU send back?’ BBC News, (9 September 2015)
<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34190359>
Phillips, Janet, ‘A comparison of Coalition and Labor Government Asylum Policies in Australia
since 2001’ (Research Paper Series, 2013-14, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of
Australia, 2014)
Phillips, Janet, ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: a quick guide to key Parliamentary Library
publications’ (Research Paper Series, 2013-14, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of
Australia, 2014)
Phillips, Janet, ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: what are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series 2014-
15, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2 March 2015)
Phillips, Janet, ‘Boat arrivals and boat ‘turnbacks’ in Australia since 1976: a quick guide to the
statistics’ (Research Paper Series, 2015-16, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia,
2015)
Phillips, Janet, and Harriet Spinks, Boat arrivals in Australia since 1976; Migrant Smuggling
Working Group (MSWG), ‘Statistics and other data’, MSWG website,
http://www.law.uq.edu.au/migrantsmuggling-statistics
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 25 of 31
Press Association, ‘Fresh battle awaits Cameron as EU plans to scrap ‘Dublin regulation’’, The
Guardian (20 January 2016) <http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/20/fresh-
battle-awaits-cameron-as-eu-plans-to-scrap-dublin-regulation>
Rachel Reilly, ‘Disabilities among Refugees and conflict-affected populations’ Forced
Migration Review (July 2010) <http://www.fmreview.org/disability-and-
displacement/rachael-reilly.html>
Rettner, Rachael, ‘Lung Donor System: How kids may slip through the cracks’, Live Science (6
June 2013) <http://www.livescience.com/37248-lung-donation-priority.html>.
Henry Samuel, ‘Refugees shun France, land of red tape, unemployment and poor housing’, The
Telegraph (Paris), 21 September 2015,
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11880391/Refugees-shun-
France-land-of-red-tape-unemployment-and-poor-housing.html>
Samuel, Henry, ‘Refugees shun France, land of red tape, unemployment and poor housing’, The
Telegraph (Paris), 21 September 2015,
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11880391/Refugees-shun-
France-land-of-red-tape-unemployment-and-poor-housing.html>
Solana, Javier, ‘NATO’s Success in Kosovo’ (1999) Foreign Affairs 78(6), 114-120
Spinks, Harriet, ‘Destination Anywhere? Factors affecting asylum seekers’ choice of destination
country’, (Research Paper 1, 2012-2013, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia,
2013)
The State of the World’s Human Rights’ (2015) Amnesty International Report 2014/15
Triggs, Gillian, ‘Australia's Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights: Endorsement or Repudiation?’ (1982) 31 British Institute of International and
Comparative Law 2, 278-306
UNHCR, ‘Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015’, UNHCR (online), 30 December
2015 <http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html>
Williams, George, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the
External Affairs Power in ‘Australian Constitutional Law and Theory’, 6th ed (2014
Federation Press)
‘Worldwide displacement hits all time high as war and persecution increase’ UNHCR (Geneva),
18 June 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/558193896.html>
Zolberg, Aristide R., ‘Changing Sovereignty Games and International Migration’ (1994) Fall
Global Legal Studies Journal 2(1), 153-169
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 26 of 31
B. Cases
CPCF v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 89 ALJR 207
Jago v District Court of New South Wales (1988) 12 NSWLR 558
M38/2002 v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCAFC 131
Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33
Plaintiff M61/2010E v Commonwealth of Australia &Ors/Plaintiff M69 of 2010 v
Commonwealth of Australian & Ors [2010] HCA 42
Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] HCA 1
Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2011] HCA 32
R v Baco (2011) 29 NTLR 221
C. Legislation
Australian Border Force Bill 2015 (Cth)
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (Imp)
Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force) Bill 2015 (Cth)
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth)
Maritime Powers Act 2013 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Bill 2015 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill
2015 (Cth)
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 27 of 31
Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth)
Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015 (Cth)
Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth)
Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy
Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth)
Migration Act 1958 (Cth)
Migration Bill 2013 (Cth)
Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (Cth)
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth)
D. Treaties
Charter of the United Nations, opened for signature 26 June 1945, 1 UNTS XVI (entered into
force 24 October 1945)
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
opened for signature 10 December 1984, 1465 UNTS 85 (entered into force 26 June 1987)
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for
signature, 7 November 1967, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 18 December 1979)
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for signature 28 July 1951, 189 UNTS 137
(entered into force 22 April 1954)
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, opened for signature 30 March 2007,
2515 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 May 2008)
Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3
(entered into force 2 September 1990)
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance,
opened for signature 20 December 2006, UN Doc A/RES/61/177 (entered into force 23
December 2010)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16
December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976).
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 28 of 31
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966,
999 UNTS 302; (entered into force 23 March 1976)
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, opened for
signature 21 December 1965, 660 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969).
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
their Families, opened for signature 18 December 1990, 2220 UNTS 3 (entered into force
1 July 2003)
Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United
Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, opened for signature 15
November 2000, GA Res 55/25, 2241 UNTS 507 (entered into force 28 January 2004)
Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for accession 31 January 1967, 606 UNTS
267 (entered into force 4 October 1967)
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and
Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized
Crime, opened for signature 15 November 2000, 2237 UNTS 319 (entered into force 25
December 2003)
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331
(entered into force 27 January 1980)
E. Other
‘Asylum and Migration – Statistics Illustrated’, Eurostat,
<http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed-migration/statistics-illustrated>
‘Asylum Quarterly Report – Statistics Explained’, Eurostat, (10 December 2015)
<http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report>
Applicability of the Obligation to Arbitrate under Section 21 of the United Nations Headquarters
Agreement of 26 June 1947 (Advisory Opinion) [1988] ICJ Rep 12
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 30 September 2010, 271
(Robert McClelland)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 12 December 2013, 2590
(Scott Morrison)
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 29 of 31
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 27 March 2014, 3328 (Scott
Morrison)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 June 2014, 7278 (Scott
Morrison)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 September 2014, 10325
(Scott Morrison);
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 14 October 2014, 11120
(Peter Dutton)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 February 2015, 1201,
1204, 1208 (Peter Dutton)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 June 2015, 7488 (Peter
Dutton)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 16 September 2015, 10343
(Peter Dutton)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 10 February 2016, 9 (Peter
Dutton)
Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, Treaty making process,
<http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/treaties/treaty-making-process/pages/treaty-
making-process.aspx>
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Asylum trends, Australia 2010–11, DIAC,
Canberra, 2011, p. 26,
<http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/asylum/_files/asylum-trends-aus-
annual-2010-11.pdf>
Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Australian Government, Asylum Trends
Australia: 2012-13 Annual Publication (2013)
Explanatory Memorandum, Australian Border Force Bill 2015 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation)
Bill 2014 (Cth)
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 30 of 31
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential
Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and Other
Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth);
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration
Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia’s
Protection Obligations) Bill 2013 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill
2015 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014
(Cth);
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth);
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum
Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Bill 2013 (Cth)
Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (Cth)
International Law Commission, ‘Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally
Wrongful Acts’ (UN Doc Supplement No 10 (A/56/10), United Nations, 2001)
Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights,
<http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Human_Rights>
Parliament of Australia, Transcript of the Hon. Tony Abbott MHR joint doorstop interview with
Mr Craig Laundy, Liberal candidate for Reid, Sydney, 12 July 2012,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2
Fpressrel%2F1829854%22
‘Patient Info: Organ Donation: Kidney transplants and organ transplantation’, Patient,
<http://patient.info/doctor/organ-donation-pro>.
The Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders Policy, Liberal Party of Australia, July 2013
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Issue Paper: A Short Introduction to People
Smuggling, Un Doc (2010)
LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922
Migration Law - Assignment 2
Page 31 of 31
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum levels and trends in industrialized
countries 2011: statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected
non-European countries, UNHCR, 2012, <http://www.unhcr.org/4e9beaa19.html>
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum levels and trends in industrialized
countries 2014: statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected
non-European countries, UNHCR, 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/551128679.html>
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Indonesia Factsheet, August 2015, UNHCR
website <http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e488116.html>
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Malaysia Factsheet, August 2015, UNHCR
website <http://www.unhcr.org.my/Resources-@-Fact_Sheets_.aspx>
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Refugees/Migrants Emergency Response –
Mediterranean Regional Overview, (2016) UNHCR
<http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php>.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Syria Regional Refugee Response -
Interagency Information Sharing Portal’ (17 February 2016)
<http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php#>

Contenu connexe

Similaire à Migration Law - Final Assignment (Distinction)

CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION?
CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION? CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION?
CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION? Eric Gyllenhaal
 
Migration crisis
Migration crisisMigration crisis
Migration crisisJuneheavens
 
MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...
MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...
MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...businessnewsworld
 
La be project how to overcome stereotypes - background research germany
La be project    how to overcome stereotypes - background research germanyLa be project    how to overcome stereotypes - background research germany
La be project how to overcome stereotypes - background research germanyLampedusaBerlinProject
 
Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...
Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...
Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...Cindy Wooten
 
Part 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administration
Part 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administrationPart 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administration
Part 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administrationAlan Kin Him Ng
 
Migration and Climate Change
Migration and Climate Change Migration and Climate Change
Migration and Climate Change Karl Donert
 
NOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticles
NOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticlesNOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticles
NOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticlesLilith-Isa Samer
 
Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016
Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016
Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016Johan Westerholm
 
European_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_Crisis
European_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_CrisisEuropean_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_Crisis
European_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_CrisisCBremner
 
LVMI-Sept2014-Newsletter
LVMI-Sept2014-NewsletterLVMI-Sept2014-Newsletter
LVMI-Sept2014-NewsletterIan Long
 
The politics of immigration-dissertation
The politics of immigration-dissertationThe politics of immigration-dissertation
The politics of immigration-dissertationSamuel Skipper
 
A short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj final
A short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj finalA short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj final
A short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj finalarchiejones4
 
Wjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigration
Wjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigrationWjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigration
Wjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigrationAmanda Simmons
 
American edition august 11, 2010
American edition august 11, 2010American edition august 11, 2010
American edition august 11, 2010dubowdigest
 
Europe and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a Dilemma
Europe and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a DilemmaEurope and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a Dilemma
Europe and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a DilemmaŚrodkowoeuropejskie Studia Polityczne
 

Similaire à Migration Law - Final Assignment (Distinction) (19)

CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION?
CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION? CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION?
CRISIS MIGRATION: A NEW ROLE TRADE UNION?
 
Migration crisis
Migration crisisMigration crisis
Migration crisis
 
MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...
MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...
MIGRATION CRISIS EUROPE, SYRIA AND WORLD ROLE TRADE UNION AND MIGRANT WORKERS...
 
La be project how to overcome stereotypes - background research germany
La be project    how to overcome stereotypes - background research germanyLa be project    how to overcome stereotypes - background research germany
La be project how to overcome stereotypes - background research germany
 
Migration and the refugee crisis - Background Context
Migration and the refugee crisis - Background ContextMigration and the refugee crisis - Background Context
Migration and the refugee crisis - Background Context
 
Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...
Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...
Compare And Contrast The Unification Of Germany, Italy,...
 
Part 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administration
Part 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administrationPart 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administration
Part 1: The end of liberal democracies with brexit and the trump administration
 
Fachref sozi
Fachref soziFachref sozi
Fachref sozi
 
Migration and Climate Change
Migration and Climate Change Migration and Climate Change
Migration and Climate Change
 
NOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticles
NOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticlesNOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticles
NOVAsia Issue 27_LilithArticles
 
Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016
Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016
Brief the e_us_refugee_crisis_2016
 
European_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_Crisis
European_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_CrisisEuropean_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_Crisis
European_Travel_in_Turmoil_Time_to_Face_Up_to_the_Humanitarian_Crisis
 
LVMI-Sept2014-Newsletter
LVMI-Sept2014-NewsletterLVMI-Sept2014-Newsletter
LVMI-Sept2014-Newsletter
 
The politics of immigration-dissertation
The politics of immigration-dissertationThe politics of immigration-dissertation
The politics of immigration-dissertation
 
A short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj final
A short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj finalA short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj final
A short guide to history of fake news and disinformation icfj final
 
Wjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigration
Wjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigrationWjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigration
Wjec AS media studies representation of issues - immigration
 
American edition august 11, 2010
American edition august 11, 2010American edition august 11, 2010
American edition august 11, 2010
 
Europe and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a Dilemma
Europe and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a DilemmaEurope and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a Dilemma
Europe and the Syrian Refugees: Challenges and Opportunities of a Dilemma
 
Europe's migration policy
Europe's migration policyEurope's migration policy
Europe's migration policy
 

Plus de Sue Stone

Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)
Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)
Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)Sue Stone
 
Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)
Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)
Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)Sue Stone
 
Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)
Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)
Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)Sue Stone
 
STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)
STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)
STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)Sue Stone
 
Cert III Financial Markets Academic Transcript
Cert III Financial Markets Academic TranscriptCert III Financial Markets Academic Transcript
Cert III Financial Markets Academic TranscriptSue Stone
 
Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988
Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988
Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988Sue Stone
 
Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988
Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988
Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988Sue Stone
 
Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988
Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988
Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988Sue Stone
 
Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991
Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991
Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991Sue Stone
 
Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991
Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991
Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991Sue Stone
 
Reference - Periodic Detention 1989
Reference - Periodic Detention 1989Reference - Periodic Detention 1989
Reference - Periodic Detention 1989Sue Stone
 
Reference - Probation Office Rachel Taylor
Reference - Probation Office Rachel TaylorReference - Probation Office Rachel Taylor
Reference - Probation Office Rachel TaylorSue Stone
 
Le Reve Pursuit of Excellence Award
Le Reve Pursuit of Excellence AwardLe Reve Pursuit of Excellence Award
Le Reve Pursuit of Excellence AwardSue Stone
 
Le Reve Founders Campaign Parchment
Le Reve Founders Campaign ParchmentLe Reve Founders Campaign Parchment
Le Reve Founders Campaign ParchmentSue Stone
 
BNZ Sales Recognition
BNZ Sales RecognitionBNZ Sales Recognition
BNZ Sales RecognitionSue Stone
 
Cert III in Financial Markets
Cert III in Financial MarketsCert III in Financial Markets
Cert III in Financial MarketsSue Stone
 
UniSA BBus Parchment
UniSA BBus ParchmentUniSA BBus Parchment
UniSA BBus ParchmentSue Stone
 
UniSA BA Parchment
UniSA BA ParchmentUniSA BA Parchment
UniSA BA ParchmentSue Stone
 
CILT Membeship
CILT MembeshipCILT Membeship
CILT MembeshipSue Stone
 

Plus de Sue Stone (19)

Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)
Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)
Constitutional Law Moot Submission (Overall Distinction)
 
Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)
Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)
Globalisation & Law Final Assignment (Distinction)
 
Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)
Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)
Torts Law A - Mid-Term Case Analysis Assignment (Distinction)
 
STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)
STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)
STONE Suzanne 3rd Assignment Media Law 2015 - Feedback version (HD)
 
Cert III Financial Markets Academic Transcript
Cert III Financial Markets Academic TranscriptCert III Financial Markets Academic Transcript
Cert III Financial Markets Academic Transcript
 
Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988
Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988
Reference - SAPOL T Szewczyk 1988
 
Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988
Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988
Reference - SAPOL S Heycock 1988
 
Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988
Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988
Reference - SAPOL A Kirk 1988
 
Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991
Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991
Reference NZ Police W Ross 1991
 
Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991
Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991
Reference - NZ Police M Clearwater 1991
 
Reference - Periodic Detention 1989
Reference - Periodic Detention 1989Reference - Periodic Detention 1989
Reference - Periodic Detention 1989
 
Reference - Probation Office Rachel Taylor
Reference - Probation Office Rachel TaylorReference - Probation Office Rachel Taylor
Reference - Probation Office Rachel Taylor
 
Le Reve Pursuit of Excellence Award
Le Reve Pursuit of Excellence AwardLe Reve Pursuit of Excellence Award
Le Reve Pursuit of Excellence Award
 
Le Reve Founders Campaign Parchment
Le Reve Founders Campaign ParchmentLe Reve Founders Campaign Parchment
Le Reve Founders Campaign Parchment
 
BNZ Sales Recognition
BNZ Sales RecognitionBNZ Sales Recognition
BNZ Sales Recognition
 
Cert III in Financial Markets
Cert III in Financial MarketsCert III in Financial Markets
Cert III in Financial Markets
 
UniSA BBus Parchment
UniSA BBus ParchmentUniSA BBus Parchment
UniSA BBus Parchment
 
UniSA BA Parchment
UniSA BA ParchmentUniSA BA Parchment
UniSA BA Parchment
 
CILT Membeship
CILT MembeshipCILT Membeship
CILT Membeship
 

Migration Law - Final Assignment (Distinction)

  • 1. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 1 of 31 INTRODUCTION Is the limitation imposed by international law on the freedom of Australia to prevent and remove irregular migrants that are smuggled into Australia by boat an unjustifiable interference with Australia’s sovereignty? There is a fine balance between the sovereign rights of a country for the purpose of protecting its population and economy, and its obligations to international law, particularly regarding irregular migrants smuggled in by boat. Wars, conflicts and persecution have been around since the beginning of civilization, which sadly continues to this day, but now more commonly occurring within states rather than between states.1 Only since the end of World War Two, the establishment of the United Nations and the multilateral charters and treaties protecting individual human rights, has more consideration been given to the human condition and a move towards individualist rights that accompany these precepts. Many from the international community have heavily criticised Australia’s “harsh” migration laws placed on irregular migration smuggled in by boat.2 Yet in contrast, Germany’s open border welcome policy has in part created an extraordinary wave of European migration smuggled in mostly by boat from the start of the 2015 northern summer. Ironically, now that some European countries are struggling to provide sufficient housing3 - particularly during the grip of winter,4 similar 1 Ekatarina Balabanova, ‘Media, Wars and Politics, (Ashgate 2013), 25. 2 See as examples: Bachelard, Michael and Sarah Whyte, ‘UN representatives criticise Abbott government’s boat tow-back policy’, The Sydney Morning Herald (23 April 2014) <http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political- news/un-representatives-criticise-abbott-governments-boat-towback-policy-20140422-zqxz1; ‘Amnesty International condemns Australia's asylum seeker policies, labels counter-terrorism measures 'regressive' and says global response to terrorist groups 'shameful'’ 24 February 2015, ABC News Online, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-25/amnesty-condemns-australia's-asylum-seeker-policies/6261348>. 3 See as examples: Jane Dudman, ‘UN Envoy: Europe faces daunting task on refugees but housing a human right’, The Guardian, (5 December 2015) http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2015/dec/05/un-envoy-europe- refugees-housing-human-right-leilani-farha>; Henry Samuel, ‘Refugees shun France, land of red tape, unemployment and poor housing’, The Telegraph (Paris), 21 September 2015, <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11880391/Refugees-shun-France-land-of-red-tape- unemployment-and-poor-housing.html> . 4 See as an example: Holehouse, Matthew, and Melanie Hall, ‘Refugees will freeze to death, EU warns’, The Telegraph (Brussels and Berlin), 25 October 2015 <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11954037/Refugees-will-freeze-to-death-warn-EU- head.html> Commented [RWP[1]: Prevent what? Commented [RWP[2]: International obligations are binding; they cannot be balanced off Commented [RWP[3]: True, but not relevant to your essay?
  • 2. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 2 of 31 closed border processes are either being set up or planning to be set up either along the European coast, and more unprecedently, inside the Schengen borders.5 In light of these recent events, I will argue that maintaining Australia’s sovereignty by preventing and removing aliens smuggled in by boat can still be achieved without compromising its legal obligations to international law. In response, this essay will explicate a brief background of irregular migration; a brief narrative on people smuggling; current sovereignty interpretation; how Australia interprets its sovereign obligations to international treaties in general; and finally how Australia interprets and reacts specifically to its legal obligations to international human rights with respect to its ability to prevent and remove irregular migrants smuggled in by boat. 1. BACKGROUND – IRREGULAR MIGRATION Mass irregular migration is not new. But, now in the 21st century, globalisation and advanced telecommunication has never created a more global attention of events around the world, revealing the ever increasing diaspora due to war and conflict.6 Europe’s last summer saw over one million migrants making their way into Europe seeking asylum, refuge, or a better life from abject poverty.7 After making the perilous journey mostly smuggled in by boat from either Africa or the Middle East, they continued their journey north to mostly Germany and Sweden.8 5 See as examples: ‘Europe’s closing borders: Support for free travel contingent on better law and order’, Wall Street Journal (7 January 2016) <http://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-closing-borders-1452212006>; ‘Austria suspends Schengen agreement, steps up border control, tells EU to sort out migrant crisis’, RT (17 January 2016) <https://www.rt.com/news/329215-austria-borders-migrants-schengen/>; Antonia Matthews, ‘Not so liberal now: Europe’s open doors closing fast’, CNBC – Europe News, (6 January 2016) <http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/06/not- so-liberal-now-europes-open-doors-closing-fast.html>. 6 See for example: Chris Kenny, ‘Changing the truth: digital media is distorting mainstream coverage’, The Australian, (Sydney) 21 December 2013, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/changing-the-truth- digital-media-is-distorting-mainstream-coverage/story-fn8qlm5e-1226787762364>; Balabanova, above n 1, xiii-xiv. 7 See for example: ‘Worldwide displacement hits all time high as war and persecution increase’ UNHCR (Geneva), 18 June 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/558193896.html>; Hereward Holland, ‘Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015’ UNHCR (Lesvos, Greece), 30 December 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html>. 8 UNHCR, ‘Refugees/Migrants Emergency Response – Mediterranean Regional Overview, UNHCR (2016) <http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php>; ‘Asylum Quarterly Report – Statistics Explained’, Eurostat, (10 December 2015) < http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report>; ‘Asylum
  • 3. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 3 of 31 Germany’s Chancellor Merkel was praised by humanitarian groups for ceasing the application of the Dublin regulation and opening Germany’s border for Syrians policy.9 However, by the time the frigid cold winter set in, initially with insufficient food and accommodation for all, the apparent inability to turn back those that have been officially declined asylum, and the realisation that it is not stopping with more on the way at an unprecedented scale, there is also a growing culture clash and impatience between the migrants and the European citizens, and Europe’s ever increasing fear of the future.10 Chancellor Merkel’s suspension of the Dublin Agreement and the Schengen Agreement by opening German borders without any migration processing at the Schengen boundary, and without sufficient preparation does not seem to have served well for both the asylum seekers and for the European citizens. Attention must be given as to how much the media has played a role in aggravating the situation that caused both the “push” and “pull” factors both in Europe and Australasia?11 It is possible that the 24/7 news cycle and social media have also impacted on the demands made upon receiving country governments in both Western and neighbouring conflict countries by the international community in resolving seriously problematic situations; and also how it may have impacted upon the displaced that are wealthy and healthy enough to make the treacherous journeys en masse.12 and Migration – Statistics Illustrated’, Eurostat, < http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed- migration/statistics-illustrated>. 9 Andrew McCathie, ‘European Migrant Crisis: Young asylum seekers could be solution to Germany’s economic challenges’, ABC News (Berlin) 16 September 2015 <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-09/europe-refugee- crisis-could-be-germany-economic-silver-lining/6760756>; Andrea Dernbach, ‘Germany suspends Dublin agreement for Syrian refugees’ (Samuel Morgan transl from Der Tagesspiegel) EurActiv (26 August 2015) <https://www.euractiv.com/section/migrations/news/germany-suspends-dublin-agreement-for-syrian-refugees/>. 10 For example: Erasmus, ‘Diverse, desperate migrants have divided European Christians’, The Economist (6 September 2015) <http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/09/migrants-christianity-and-europe> 11 Refer to: “The former US President, Clinton….claimed that ‘[b]ecause of a communication revolution, symbolised most clearly by CNN…. we are front-row history witnesses. We see things as they occur. Now we are impatient if we learn about things an hour after they occur instead of seeing them in the moment.” as quoted in Balabanova, n 1, 2; Also Balabanova, n 1, 1-20; Frank Furedi, ‘Europe Migrant Crisis: Merkel’s standing trampled by flood of migrants, The Australian (22 January 2016) < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/europe- migrant-crisis-merkels-standing-trampled-by-flood-of-migrants/news-story/e2d8bc1db37cf0f7f786814fe6e4bf76> 12 Ibid, xiii-xiv. Commented [RWP[4]: This section is good but you have to ask yourself – how necessary is it for consideration of your main issue?
  • 4. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 4 of 31 EUROPEAN FLOOD SCENARIO IN AUSTRALIA There is now significant concern of when and how this European flood will end.13 This kind of irregular migration policy could be described as “survival of the fittest and wealthiest.” There is no order, no control, and these receiving countries have lost their sovereign right to decide who may enter and live within its borders. It is not sustainable. Decision-makers such as the EU, UN and NATO need to take further action to not only reconsider their migration policies and laws, but to also end the causes of these “push” factors, like that achieved in Kosovo during the 1990s.14 In contrast to the other side of the world, Australia is an island nation that has also experienced unlawful entry by those seeking asylum, refuge, or just a better way of life by air and boat. Warfare has been the main “push” factor for most Australian irregular migrants, coming mostly from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sri Lanka.15 Admittedly, the numbers that enter Australia’s borders are minuscule compared to the numbers in Europe. Nonetheless, Australia has made headlines here and overseas for its “harsh” and “severe” irregular migration policy, and accompanying laws and operations.16 13 Furedi, ‘Europe’s migrant crisis’, above n 11. 14 Javier Solana, ‘NATO’s Success in Kosovo’ (1999) Foreign Affairs 78(6), 114-120; ‘NATO’s role in relation to the conflict in Kosovo’ NATO (15 July 1999) <http://www.nato.int/kosovo/history.htm>. 15 The largest source country for protection visa applicants who arrive by air is China, although the success rate for this group is quite low. See Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Asylum trends, Australia 2010–11, DIAC, Canberra, 2011, p. 26, <http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/asylum/_files/asylum-trends- aus-annual-2010-11.pdf> as cited in Harriet Spinks, ‘Destination Anywhere? Factors affecting asylum seekers’ choice of destination country’, (Research Paper 1, 2012-2013, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2013), 4. 16 ‘International Community Condemns Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers during major human rights review at UN’, Human Rights Law Centre, (Nov 2015) <http://hrlc.org.au/international-community-condemns-australias- treatment-of-asylum-seekers-during-major-human-rights-review-at-un/>; Jared Owens, ‘UN Human rights review slams Australia’s asylum seeker policies’ 12 November 2015, The Australian, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/un-human-rights-review-slams-australias-asylum- seeker-policies/news-story/29a4c5e8b0ecf94a327f7fe822dfec07>; Amy Maguire, ‘Why does international condemnation on human rights mean so little to Australia?’ 4 February 2016, The Conversation, <http://theconversation.com/why-does-international-condemnation-on-human-rights-mean-so-little-to-australia- 53814>; ‘Amnesty International condemns Australia's asylum seeker policies, labels counter-terrorism measures 'regressive' and says global response to terrorist groups 'shameful'’ above n 2; Michael Gordon, ‘New UN human rights chief attacks Australia over asylum seeker rights 'violations'’, 7 September 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald, <http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/new-un-human-rights-chief-attacks-australia-over-asylum- seeker-rights-violations-20140907-10dlkx.html>; ‘The State of the World’s Human Rights’ (2015) Amnesty International Report 2014/15; ‘UN representatives criticise Abbott government’s boat tow-back policy’, above n 2.
  • 5. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 5 of 31 At the end of 2013, there were more than 51 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, more than 11 million of those are refugees under UNHCR’s mandate. 17 Considering what has happened in Europe, it is now conceivable that this could occur in Australia if it was to relax its sovereign rights to border protection. There are tens of thousands of irregular migrants still waiting in transit in South East Asia; including millions of Indonesians and Malaysians that live in abject poverty. It would be highly questionable if a nation of just 24 million could remotely sustain economically or politically a similar influx after one year, yet alone continual years thereafter. Janet Phillips asserts “[t]he concept of an orderly queue does not accord with the reality of the asylum process.”18 However, using the analogy of an organ transplant waiting list where there are always more in need of a transplant than there are organs available, it is a sad fact that innumerous numbers die each year worldwide while waiting for an organ donor. However, waiting lists are strictly controlled, orderly and distributed based on priority. There is no other way to operate it to make it more equitable and humane. The best hope is to get a match and being at the top of the priority list before it is too late.19 So too should irregular migration. Australia heavily invests in the orderly approach of humanitarian aid and resettlement, and is consistently ranked as one of the top three countries in the UNHCR Resettlement Program.20 With the exception of neighbouring countries, anarchy does not need to be accepted. Strategies (that are beyond the scope of this essay for discussion) can be put in place to avoid such chaos. When migratory movement are at the volume demonstrated last year in Europe in such a short space of time, it is unrealistic to provide the utopic refuge that is expected. The result of this migration wave was mostly due to the “push” factor of fleeing war, conflict and persecution. However, it was also partly due to the “pull” factor of Europe providing an open border safe 17 UNHCR, Global trends 2013, Geneva, June 2014. 18 Janet Phillips, ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: what are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series 2014-15, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2 March 2015), 5-6. 19 Rachael Rettner, ‘Lung Donor System: How kids may slip through the cracks’, Live Science (6 June 2013) <http://www.livescience.com/37248-lung-donation-priority.html>; ‘Patient Info: Organ Donation: Kidney transplants and organ transplantation’, Patient, <http://patient.info/doctor/organ-donation-pro>. 20 Elibritt Karlsen, ‘Refugee resettlement to Australia: What are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series, 2014-15, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, February 2015), 5. Commented [RWP[5]: Why not? Commented [RWP[6]: What do you mean by this?
  • 6. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 6 of 31 haven with no restrictions, better living conditions, and generous welfare.21 The majority from the East had already fled the immediate threat and were taking refuge in neighbouring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.22 Those coming from Sub-Sahara Africa travelled from afar over desert in the hope of getting a boat to Italy, Spain or Malta.23 If Europe protected its Schengen borders by closing and protecting them like that done in Australia, invested more heavily in permanent resettlement, more collaboration and investment in the process of asylum with neighbouring refuge countries from where the migrants come, it is conceivable that a more orderly, safer, and humane permanent resettlement process could have been achieved. 2. PEOPLE SMUGGLING People smuggling is not new, but in the new post-Cold War period of the 1990s, there was a spike in irregular migration into Western Europe and the United States, along with increased transnational organised crime.24 In an international response, negotiations of a treaty which explicitly criminalised people smuggling was created.25 People smuggling is officially described as “… the procurement, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, of the illegal entry of a person into a State Party of which the person is not a national or a permanent resident.”26 21 Natalie Banulescu-Bogdan and Susan Fratzke, ‘Europe’s Migration Crisis in Context: Why now and what next?’ Migration Information Source (24 September 2015) <http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/europe-migration- crisis-context-why-now-and-what-next> 22 ‘Syria Regional Refugee Response - Interagency information Sharing Portal’ UNHCR, (17 February 2016) <http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php#> 23 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum levels and trends in industrialized countries 2014: statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected non-European countries, UNHCR, 2015, 10 <http://www.unhcr.org/551128679.html> 24 Andreas Schlöenhardt, ‘Migrant Smuggling and Organised Crime in Australia’ (2011) (Research Paper, Migrant Smuggling Working Group, University of Queensland, 2011), 14. 25 Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, opened for signature 15 November 2000, GA Res 55/25, 2241 UNTS 507 (entered into force 28 January 2004) art 3(a), (Smuggling of Migrants Protocol). 26 Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, art 3(a). Commented [RWP[7]: defined
  • 7. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 7 of 31 People smuggling essentially occurs when borders exist that require unattainable legal documents, and there is a demand for better living conditions, and freedom and relative safety - all of which are mostly available in prosperous western countries. Smugglers exploit these desires by setting up highly profitable businesses by facilitating these migrants to cross these borders unlawfully.27 It is extremely dangerous for the migrants but highly lucrative for the smugglers.28 As per article 6 of this protocol, migrant smuggling is a criminal offence. State Party signatories, such as Australia, are subsequently expected to incorporate treaty obligations into domestic law and other measures to ensure the prevention, investigation and prosecution of these smugglers.29 Importantly, Article 5 of the Protocol recognises that the migrants whom use these smugglers are not liable to prosecution.30 It is under this protocol that Australia’s current migration laws serve better in comparison to Europe’s in that since the election of the current government, only one smuggled boat has succeeded. As mentioned in Article 5, there are other related international treaties of which Australia is a member. While more specific and detailed discussion on other human rights related treaties are beyond the scope of this essay, suffice to say they have created limitations on how Australia design their laws and operations. However, ways have been found to interpret and work with them, which will be discuss later on how this is accomplished. 3. CURRENT INTERPRETATION OF SOVEREIGNTY Since the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia, States have increasingly recognised each other’s authority of self-determination. Three hundred years later, the concept of sovereignty has been codified in the Charter of the United Nations.31 Originally having absolute independence within its borders, 27 Mattias Neske, ‘Human Smuggling to and through Germany’, (2006) International Migration, 44(4), 121-122, 124. 28 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Issue Paper: A Short Introduction to People Smuggling, Un Doc (2010), 13. 29 Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, art 6. 30 Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, art 5. 31 See Charter of the United Nations, opened for signature 26 June 1945, 1 UNTS XVI (entered into force 24 October 1945) Article 2(7) as cited in Anne L Clunan, ‘Ch 1 – Redefining Sovereignty: Humanitarianism’s Commented [RWP[8]: does that not depend on what the laws are meant to do? Commented [RWP[9]: party
  • 8. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 8 of 31 its responsibilities as a sovereign state was protecting its people through law and order within, and the control of movement of individuals in and out of its borders. Since the end of World War II, the establishment of the United Nations and the growing concept of individualist globalisation, sovereignty has now developed into an authority in which its international obligations are challenging its continued authority of its borders.32 Particularly with the recent unprecedented increase of international diaspora since the end of World War II, along with terrorist concerns experienced by Western States, the overwhelming pressure to honour international customary and treaty law is threatening this last bastion of sovereignty to decide who may enter, live, and be removed.33 In response with this increasing threat, many States are now turning to law enforcement, military and detention measures which, in turn, is often interpreted by the international community as violating international human rights obligations.34 Burmester argues that there is now a more global interdependence between countries and people. It is no longer a sovereign duty to protect the people from foreign threats but to enable people more global economic connectivity and universal human right standards. Although the creation of the United Nations Charter legitimises sovereign authority, it and customary international law does not recognise its absoluteness. Burmester explains that just like individuals do not have absolute rights, neither do States within the international community. Indeed, since it is the members themselves that create an international treaty, ratifying that treaty is taking acceptance of its partial loss of internal sovereign rights, but at the same time demonstrates having the ability to even enter into an international treaty is a sovereign right in itself. 35 Challenge to Sovereign Immunity’ in Michaelene Cox and Noah Shawki (eds), Negotiating Sovereignty and Human Rights, (Ashgate Publishing Group 2009), 7. 32 See Richard Perruchoud, ‘Ch 5 – State Sovereignty and Freedom of Movement’ in Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), International Migration Law (Cambridge University Press 2012) 123; and Aristide R Zolberg, ‘Changing Sovereignty Games and International Migration’ (1994) Fall Global Legal Studies Journal 2(1), 153-169, 166. 33 Richard Perruchoud, ‘Ch 5 – State Sovereignty and Freedom of Movement’ in Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), International Migration Law (Cambridge University Press 2012) 124-125. 34 Ryszard Piotrowicz and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross, ‘Ch 9 – Human Trafficking and Smuggling’ in Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud and Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), International Migration Law (Cambridge University Press 2012) 247. 35 Henry Burmester, ‘National Sovereignty, Independence and the impact of treaties and international standards’, (1995) Sydney Law Review, 17(127), 129, 130, 133.
  • 9. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 9 of 31 Even in Australia’s Seas and Submerged Lands Case, Stephen J held that since World War II, national rights are a product of international relations and international law: ‘It is international intercourse between nation states which is the substance of a nation’s external affairs. Treaties and conventions to which a nation may become a party form, no doubt, an important part of those affairs, but ‘external affairs’ will also include matters which are not consensual in character; conduct on the part of a nation, or of its nationals, which affects other nations and its relations with them are external affairs of that nation …’36 4. AUSTRALIA’S SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL TREATIES IN GENERAL In the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969), a treaty37 is defined as “…an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation.” 38 As expected in ratifying a treaty, a State Party such as Australia, is expected to honour their obligations in good faith, otherwise it is not a treaty as per article 26 of the Vienna Convention.39 Further, as per article 27 a State Party cannot enact domestic law that intentionally contravenes its obligations of the treaty; doing so would breach the treaty and the State’s international responsibility.40 36 New South Wales v Commonwealth (1975) 135 CLR 337. 37 Also known as a ‘protocol’, ‘charter’, ‘covenant’, ‘pact’, ‘statute’, or ‘arrangement’; Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 57. 38 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331 (entered into force 27 January 1980) art. 2(1)(a). 39 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331 (entered into force 27 January 1980) art. 26 as cited in Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 57, 65. 40 Applicability of the Obligation to Arbitrate under Section 21 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement of 26 June 1947 (Advisory Opinion) [1988] ICJ Rep 12, 26 as cited in Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international Commented [RWP[10]: what do you mean by ‘an obligation to a treaty’? Commented [RWP[11]: that is correct, but failure to abide by an obligation does not stop the treaty being a treaty.
  • 10. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 10 of 31 DUALIST PRINCIPLE Australia incorporates the “dualist principle”41 in its application to international law, in that it treats it as a separate legal system to that of Australia’s own, and therefore not legally binding unless it has been legislatively incorporated into domestic statute law.42 Reiterated by Mason CJ and Dean J in Teoh.43 ‘It is well established that the provisions of an international treaty to which Australia is a party do not form part of Australian law unless these provisions have been validly incorporated into our municipal law by statute. This principle has its foundation in the proposition that in our constitutional system the making and ratification of treaties fall within the province of the Executive in the exercise of its prerogative power whereas the making and the alteration of the law fall within the province of Parliament, not the Executive. So, a treaty which has not been incorporated into our municipal law cannot operate as a direct source of individual rights and obligations under that law.’44 Donaghue45 thought this problematic in whether an international treaty is still legally binding when there is an expectation for domestic laws to adopt the treaty by the Legislature when it has already been ratified by the Executive. If this is so, Donaghue asked whether this meant that the Executive now has the power to legislate law without Parliamentary assent.46 The Australian government interestingly asserts47 that domestic laws will already be aligned to international treaty obligations before the Executive decides to ratify a treaty. If so, surely this would allow migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 66. 41 Also known as ‘transformed theory’. 42 George Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the External Affairs Power in Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, 6th ed (2014 Federation Press), 885 [20.1]. 43 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (Teoh) (1995) 183 CLR 273, at [286]-[287] cited in George Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the External Affairs Power in Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, 6th ed (2014 Federation Press), 887 [20.5] [20.9]. 44 Teoh (1995) 128 ALR 353, 361-362; see also Dietrich v R (1992) 117 CLR 292 at 305, per Mason CJ and McHugh J; at 321, per Brennan J; at 360. 45 Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 223-224. 46 Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 226. 47 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, Treaty making process, <http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/treaties/treaty-making-process/pages/treaty-making-process.aspx>; Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 248. Commented [RWP[12]: It is binding upon Australia at international law once ratified, whether or not it has been incorporated.
  • 11. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 11 of 31 the judiciary the ability to interpret existing domestic law relevant to international law. Contrarily, there is vexation within the judiciary of having to utilise Teoh’s Principle to persuasively influence international law upon common law when statute or subordinate legislation is ambiguous.48 Therefore in reality, this dualist principle creates a lacuna between domestic law and international treaty obligations, placing Australia at risk of violating a treaty.49 MONIST PRINCIPLE In contrast since World War Two, most States50 have incorporated treaty obligations directly into domestic law, some of which are even self-executory. Known as the monist principle, international law becomes legally binding on their domestic law and prevails even over enacted domestic legislation.51 Adopted into their respective constitutions52, some form of legislature approval is required before a treaty is ratified. But once approved and published, the treaty is automatically adopted and prevailing over domestic law.53 That is, the treaty instruments are directly interpreted into existing legislation as per international interpretative rules.54 Whether this international jurisprudence could be adopted in Australia, or interfere with its sovereign authority, or contravene Australia’s Constitution, are unknown. Nevertheless, Australia utilises s 51(xxix) to make laws in relation to external affairs when it ratifying a treaty. Currently, under Australia’s dualist principle, not only are there possibilities of violating its treaty obligations by not adopting the treaty into domestic law, but when it does enact domestic law, it does so with the additional risk of possibly broadening the construction of the provisions to the point it becoming repugnant to the treaty.55 48 Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273, [287]-[288] as cited in George Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the External Affairs Power in Australian Constitutional Law and Theory, 6th ed (2014 Federation Press), 887 [20.9]. 49 Stephen Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review 213-267, 231. 50 Such as Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Argentina, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the United States, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg, Republic of Korea, Japan and Brazil 51 Vincent Chetail, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press), 66. 52 With the exception of Belgium as listed in n51. 53 Donaghue, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law, 234-239. 54 Ibid 231-32. 55 Ibid 232. Commented [RWP[13]: These sections on incorporation could have been omitted. It is good that you understand the principles but they do not need to be explained separately in this essay; you just need to refer to them – where appropriate – in your discussion of the main issue, which is migration law, not the relationship between international and Australian law
  • 12. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 12 of 31 5. DOMESTIC MIGRATION LAW AS OBLIGATED TO INTERNATION HUMAN RIGHTS RELATED CONVENTIONS OPERATION SOVEREIGN BORDERS In the last 16 odd years, three different governments have made their mark on their policies with respect to irregular migration. Since the election of the current Government, a suite of border protection and immigration policies collectively known as Operation Sovereign Borders has been legally implemented. To become operational, several legislative amendments56 were passed through Parliament, mostly affecting the Migration Act 1958 (Cth), several other existing Acts, 57 and the creation of the Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth). With the exception of two bills that are currently in the House of Representatives,58 all are now Acts of Parliament and operational. In order to protect its sovereignty, Australia’s ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’ has taken a very narrow interpretation of its obligation to international human rights related treaties, by putting in place rigorous policies, laws, and operational procedures that have now severely curtailed the people smugglers ability to transport irregular migrants into Australia by boat. In spite of the international community being highly critical of Australia’s interpretation of its human rights legal obligations with regards to sea interdiction, Australia’s highest judiciary have, on the 56 Australian Border Force Bill 2015 (Cth); Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth) (still in HOR); Migration Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth); Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015; Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth) (returned to HOR), Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth); Migration Bill 2013 (Cth); Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014. (Cth) 57 Customs Act 1901 (Cth); Maritime Powers Act 2013 (Cth); the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 (Cth); Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth); Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (Cth); Crimes Act 1914 (Cth); Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth); Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth); Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth). 58 Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015; Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016.
  • 13. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 13 of 31 whole, supported the legality of these arrangements.59 Most importantly, these domestic laws are achieving the object of the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol, whilst not contravening any human rights related law at the international judiciary level.60 HUMAN RIGHTS (PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY) ACT (2011) CTH Since the enactment of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act (2011) Cth (“Human Rights Act”), each Schedule of a Bill that is introduced into Parliament is accompanied with a Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights.61 This is to ensure “parliamentary scrutiny of new laws for consistency with Australia’s human rights obligations and to encourage early and ongoing consideration of human rights issues in policy and legislative development.”62 Detailed as an attachment in the Bill’s Explanatory Memorandum, the Statement provides an overview and reason for the Bill, and then details each section’s compatibility with human rights that have been defined as “the rights and freedoms recognised or declared by the seven core United Nations human rights treaties as they apply to Australia.63 In addition, as per Part 2 of the Human Rights Act, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights also scrutinises these Bills and other legislative instruments and report their findings before both Houses to ensure compatibility of international human right covenants to which Australia is a party. Accordingly, 59 See CPCF V Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 89 ALJR 207; Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2016] HCA 1. 60 A search through UNHRC communication views for the last five years have found no Australian listings with a negative view. 61 Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth) s 8 (‘Human Rights Act’). 62 Explanatory Memorandum, Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010, 271. 63 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, opened for signature 21 December 1965, 660 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969); International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 999 UNTS 302; (entered into force 23 March 1976); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature, 7 November 1967, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 18 December 1979); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature, 7 November 1967, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 18 December 1979); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, opened for signature 10 December 1984, 1465 UNTS 85 (entered into force 26 June 1987); Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990); Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, opened for signature 30 March 2007, 2515 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 May 2008); Explanatory Memorandum, Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010, 3. Commented [RWP[14]: Are you going to discuss these arguments?
  • 14. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 14 of 31 the Australian Parliament has ensured a system that enables each bill to pass and assent into an Act of Parliament that complies with Australia’s interpretation of its international human right treaty obligations.64 As an example, a new section 22(A) Maritime Powers Act was added that essentially purports that domestic law executed by the Executive will prevail over international law and Australia’s international obligations. Specifically, in this matter at 19-20[17] of the Explanatory Memorandum: “The Australian Government takes its international obligations seriously, and Australia is bound to act in compliance with its international obligations as a matter of international law. This amendment does not seek to change that fact. Appropriate measures are always taken to ensure that operational activities involving the exercise of maritime powers comply with Australia’s international obligations. This amendment merely reflects the intention that the interpretation and application of such obligations is, in this context, a matter for the executive government. The Parliament’s intent in passing this amendment is that it be put beyond doubt that Australia’s international obligations, the international obligations of other countries and other countries’ domestic law cannot form the basis of an invalidation of the exercise of the powers in Division 2 of Part 2 as a matter of domestic law.”65 CASE EXAMPLE: CPCF V MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND BORDER PROTECTION As an example of Australia’s validity in its compliance with international law, Australia’s High Court recently upheld Australia’s new migration and maritime power laws in the CPCF v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection case with the UNHCR appearing as amicus curiae. 66 French CJ summarised: 64 Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, <http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Human_Rights>; Human Rights Act s 7. 65 Explanatory Memorandum for the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), 19-20[17]. 66 (2015) 89 ALJR 207.
  • 15. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 15 of 31 at 215-216[4] The central question to this case was whether maritime powers under the Maritime Powers Act (2013) Cth (‘MPA’), and/or the non-statutory executive power of the Commonwealth derived from s 61 of the Constitution67 , authorised the detention and taking of the plaintiff from Australia's contiguous zone to India. The particular questions and the answers to them were set out at the end of these reasons and are substantially to the effect that the detention and taking of the plaintiff was lawful pursuant to s 72(4)68 of the MPA. Section 72(4) of the Migration Powers Act (2013) Cth was amended via the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 and assented into an Act of Parliament on 15 December 2014. In the Explanatory Memorandum of the Bill, it stated that s 72 was amended to the Migration Powers Act for clarification on the provision to move vessels and persons, and related provisions; and to explicitly provide the Minister with a power to give specific and general instructions about the exercise of powers under s 72 to ensure the government has appropriate oversight.69 The amendment was also very specific with respect to natural justice and Australia’s international obligations: [P]rovide that the rules of natural justice do not apply to a range of powers in the Maritime Powers Act, including the powers to authorise the exercise of maritime powers, the new Ministerial powers and the exercise of powers to hold and move vessels and persons; and ensure that the exercise of a range of powers cannot be invalidated because a court considers there has been a failure to consider, properly consider, or comply with Australia’s international obligations, or the international obligations or domestic law of any other country;70 67 S 61 of the Constitution (Executive Powers): “The executive power of the Commonwealth is vested in the Queen and is exercisable by the Governor-General as the Queen‘s representative, and extends to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, and of the laws of the Commonwealth.” 68 Maritime Powers Act 2013 (Cth) (‘MPA’) s 72(4) (which relates to persons on detained vessels and aircraft) states: “A maritime officer may detain the person and take the person, or cause the person to be taken, to a place (the destination).” This provision must be read in conjunction with s 74 of the Act which states: “A maritime officer must not place or keep a person in a place, unless the officer is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that it is safe for the person to be in that place.” 69 Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), 2. 70 Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), 3.
  • 16. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 16 of 31 NON-REFOULEMENT OBLIGATION When complying with non-refoulement obligations, the Australian government did not expect legislative provisions to be strained beyond its intent of purpose for personal effect. For example, as stated in the Explanatory Memorandum for the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), specific amendments were made as a result of previous court cases71 that made “broadly and unintended” interpretations to s 198 of the Migration Act. At 166 [1142] of the memorandum which stated: Australia will continue to meet its non-refoulement obligations through other mechanisms and not through the removal powers in section 198 of the Migration Act. For example, Australia’s non-refoulement obligations will be met through the protection visa application process or the use of the Minister’s personal powers in the Migration Act, including those under sections 46A, 195A or 417 of the Migration Act.72 In other words, consideration of Australia’s non-refoulement obligations would already have been determined by other processes prior to the decision for removal.73 Therefore s 198 is meant to be interpreted as an operational provision for the representative of the Executive, and thus the element of non-refoulement is not required for consideration in that provision at that time.74 OBLIGATIONS TO DETENTION In terms of detention as a result of the cancellation, revocation or refusal of a visa as per s 189 of the Migration Act, the relevant Explanatory Memorandum Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights75 notes that: 71 See specifically M38/2002 v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCAFC 131; Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33; Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2011] HCA 32; Plaintiff M61/2010E v Commonwealth of Australia &Ors/Plaintiff M69 of 2010 v Commonwealth of Australian & Ors [2010] HCA 42; Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33; 72 Also refer to Explanatory Memorandum for the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), Appendix A, 4- 73 For example, upon application for a visa or when the Minister was using his/her powers pursuant to 46A, 195A or 417 of the Migration Act . 74 Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth), 165[1128]–167[1146]; Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash) 75 Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth), 5. Commented [RWP[15]: What do you mean by this?
  • 17. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 17 of 31 “… The Australian Government’s position is that the detention of individuals requesting protection is neither unlawful nor arbitrary per se under international law. Continuing detention may become arbitrary after a certain period of time without proper justification. The determining factor, however, is not the length of detention, but whether the grounds for the detention are justifiable.” CONSEQUENCES AVOIDED As a consequence of detracting sovereign rights to protect borders, comparatively those whom have made the journey or have already started their journey in last year’s mass European migration, and have had to endure the brutal European winter,76 it is highly questionable if they are in any better situation than Australian irregular migrants in offshore detention centres in terms of basic provisions of food, security, health care, and accommodation. Particularly due to the Dublin agreement, hundreds are living on the streets in the southern European countries of Italy and Greece.77 UNHCR and Europe’s misplaced good intentions could actually be encouraging and enabling those already in refuge to take the treacherous risk of taking a boat smuggled across the seas sadly resulting in the migrants playing a zero sum game. By encouraging receiving coastal countries to actively patrol, rescue, and bring back smuggled boats from the waters where irregular routes lie, is arguably encouraging people smugglers to make the journey as they will know they would be picked up. This method has been purposely used by Indonesian people smugglers with reports of the smugglers instructing boat captains to radio assistance to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority before they have even left the Indonesian 76 See as examples: Matthew Holehouse and Melanie Hall, ‘Refugees will freeze to death, EU warns’, The Telegraph (Brussels and Berlin), 25 October 2015 <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11954037/Refugees-will-freeze-to-death-warn-EU- head.html>; ‘Freezing migrants cry foul as colds bites’, The Local, 20 October 2015 <http://www.thelocal.de/20151020/freezing-migrants-cry-foul-as-german-cold-bites>; Tom Miles, ‘Children on Syrian refugee route could freeze to death: UN’, Reuters (Geneva) 19 January 2016 <http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-winter-idUSKCN0UX1SB>. 77 See as examples: Harriet Grant and John Domokos, ‘Dublin regulation leaves asylum seekers with their fingers burnt’, The Guardian (8 October 2011) <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/dublin-regulation- european-asylum-seekers>; Patrick J Lyons, ‘Explaining the Rules for Migrants: Borders and Asylum’, The New York Times, (16 September 2015) <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/world/europe/europe-refugees-migrants- rules.html?_r=0>. Commented [RWP[16]: Is it correct? This needs to be discussed Commented [RWP[17]: Perhaps – but that is a policy rather than a legal issue. Whether one agrees with Australia’s policy or not, the issue is – does Australia’s policy conform to its international legal obligations?
  • 18. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 18 of 31 port, with the then Gillard Government being accused of operating policies that cause the Australian Navy to being nothing more than “water taxis for people smugglers”.78 Meanwhile, millions are being left behind whom cannot afford air fares or smugglers, or are too ill, frail or disabled to make the journey.79 This “survival of the fittest and wealthiest” policy welcomed by human rights activists and implemented by Europe can hardly be equitable, just, and safe for the majority left behind for weeks, months, years, or sadly some cases for generations.80 Equally unfair are those whom have been waiting patiently (many in squalid camps or detention centres) in Africa and the Middle East waited patiently, again sadly in some cases for years, 81 after being approved to get permanent resettlement, only to be told to wait even longer because someone fitter, healthier, wealthier and more audacious has taken their place.82 78 See for example: Abbott (Leader of the Opposition), Transcript of the Hon. Tony Abbott MHR joint doorstop interview with Mr Craig Laundy, Liberal candidate for Reid, Sydney, 12 July 2012, viewed 22 November 2012, <http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F1829854 %22>; Paul Maley and Peter Alford, ‘Smugglers' distress call rescue tactic’, The Australian, 12 July 2012, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/smugglers-distress-call-rescue-tactic/story- fn9hm1gu-1226423932962> ; also cited in Cat Barker, ‘The people smugglers’ business model’ (Research Paper No 2, 2012/13, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 28 February 2013), 9. 79 Sara Malm, ‘Syrian wives and mothers left behind condemn men who have fled the country…’, Daily Mail Australia, (8 October 2015) <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3263593/Syrian-wives-mothers-left- condemn-men-fled-country-ask-free-protect-wrong-leave-country.html>; ‘Older Syrian refugees ‘forgotten’ by aid agencies’, Age International <https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/latest-news/Older-Syrian-refugees-forgotten-by- aid-agencies-claims-new-report--/>; Rachel Reilly, ‘Disabilities among Refugees and conflict-affected populations’ Forced Migration Review (July 2010) <http://www.fmreview.org/disability-and-displacement/rachael-reilly.html>. 80 See as example: Aamna Mohdin, ‘When refugee camps last for three generations, we must accept they’re going nowhere’, SBS News (2 December 2015) <http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/01/when-refugees-camps- last-three-generations-we-must-accept-theyre-not-going>. 81 See as example: Mohdin, ‘When refugee camps last for three generations, we must accept they’re going nowhere’. 82 Karlsen, above n 19, 11; Adrienne Millbank, ‘The problem with the 1951 Refugee Convention’, (Research Paper 5 2000-01, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 5 September 2000).
  • 19. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 19 of 31 CONCLUSION What seems clear from examining the second readings83 and Statements of Compatibility with Human Rights in the explanatory memorandums84 of the new and amending legislation relating to migration and maritime Australian law, is that the current Government has set very clear, strict, but fair domestic laws that uphold Australia’s sovereign authority to protect the population and its borders. At the same time, it is committing domestic laws to their interpretation of compliance with Australia’s international treaty obligations. Indeed, the Australian Government confirms that ratifying a treaty does not interfere with Australia’s sovereign rights, but just influences the way domestic laws are interpreted.85 Regretfully, some operational processes are not perfect and detention has been protracted caused in part by an extensive backlog from the previous government by up to 30,000 claims.86 Understandably, this is not a Utopian situation, and not unexpectedly popular with human rights activists. Considering the global number of displaced persons, the majority will never have the opportunity to make the journeys that the relative minority can afford or are physically capable of doing so. Australia cannot resolve the global refugee crisis, but once Australia has cleared the backlog of claims, what will remain is Australia’s commitment to investing in a more orderly permanent humanitarian refugee 83 See specifically Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 February 2015, 1201, 1204, 1208, (Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 September 2014, 10325 (Scott Morrison); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 10 February 2016, 9 (Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 14 October 2014, 11120 (Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 June 2014, 7278 (Scott Morrison); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 June 2015, 7488 (Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 16 September 2015, 10343 (Peter Dutton); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 12 December 2013, 2590 (Scott Morrison); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 27 March 2014, 3328 (Scott Morrison); 84 See specifically: Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia’s Protection Obligations) Bill 2013 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Bill 2013 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (Cth). 85 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, Treaty making process, <http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/treaties/treaty-making-process/pages/treaty-making-process.aspx>. 86 Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash).
  • 20. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 20 of 31 resettlement process that prioritises on need and available resources. In doing so, it demonstrates that Australia has not been adversely impeded by its legal obligation to international law and still able to maintain sovereignty by interdicting people smuggling from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. In contrast, by attempting to fulfil its legal obligations and admiral goals to provide humanitarian aid by enacting an unsustainably chaotic and hazardous “survival of the fittest and wealthiest” open border policy, the EU appears to be fighting within, risking not only losing layers of sovereignty, but possibly imploding altogether. Word count: 4,615 This is a very impressive piece of work and it was a pleasure to read it. It is wide-ranging, systematic and coherent. You make very good use of primary and secondary sources. You could have left out some bits which are not crucial to your discussion of the core issue – for instance your discussion (which in itself is good) of the link between international law and Australian law. Most importantly, you could, and should, have engaged more critically with the legality of Australia’s policy by exposing it to a closer analysis in light of Australia’s international obligations. In doing so you would then have the opportunity to show your understanding of the legal regime. Think about these points, and my comments on the text, and consider how you can apply them to your essays in other modules. Mark: 80%
  • 21. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 21 of 31 BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Articles/Books/Reports ‘Amnesty International condemns Australia's asylum seeker policies, labels counter-terrorism measures 'regressive' and says global response to terrorist groups 'shameful'’ 24 February 2015, ABC News Online, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-25/amnesty-condemns- australia's-asylum-seeker-policies/6261348> Austria suspends Schengen agreement, steps up border control, tells EU to sort out migrant crisis’, RT (17 January 2016) <https://www.rt.com/news/329215-austria-borders-migrants- schengen/> Bachelard, Michael and Sarah Whyte, ‘UN representatives criticise Abbott government’s boat tow-back policy’, The Sydney Morning Herald (23 April 2014) <http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/un-representatives-criticise- abbott-governments-boat-towback-policy-20140422-zqxz1> Balabanova, Ekatarina, ‘Media, Wars and Politics, (Ashgate 2013) Barker, Cat, ‘The people smugglers’ business model’ (Research Paper No 2, 2012/13, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 28 February 2013) Banulescu-Bogdan, Natalie and Susan Fratzke, ‘Europe’s Migration Crisis in Context: Why now and what next?’ Migration Information Source (24 September 2015) <http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/europe-migration-crisis-context-why-now-and- what-next> Barbière, Cécile, ‘EU leaders shy away from revamping the asylum policy’, EurActiv (28 April 2015) <http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-leaders-shy-away- from-revamping-the-asylum-policy/> Burmester, Henry, ‘National Sovereignty, Independence and the Impact of Treaties and International Standards’ (1995) 17 Sydney Law Review, 127-149 Chetail, Vincent, Ch 3 - Sources of international migration law in Foundations of International Migration Law, Brian Opeskin, Richard Perruchoud, Jillyanne Redpath-Cross (eds), (2012 Cambridge University Press) Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Annual report 2011–12, Commonwealth of Australia, 2012, http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2011-12/pdf/index.htm Donaghue, Stephen, ‘Balancing Sovereignty and International Law: The Domestic Impact of International Law in Australia’ (1995) 17 Adelaide Law Review, 213-267
  • 22. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 22 of 31 Dudman, Jane, ‘UN Envoy: Europe faces daunting task on refugees but housing a human right’, The Guardian, (5 December 2015) http://www.theguardian.com/housing- network/2015/dec/05/un-envoy-europe-refugees-housing-human-right-leilani-farha> Dernbach, Andrea, ‘Germany suspends Dublin agreement for Syrian refugees’ (Samuel Morgan transl from Der Tagesspiegel) EurActiv (26 August 2015) <https://www.euractiv.com/section/migrations/news/germany-suspends-dublin-agreement- for-syrian-refugees/> ‘Freezing migrants cry foul as colds bites’, The Local, 20 October 2015 <http://www.thelocal.de/20151020/freezing-migrants-cry-foul-as-german-cold-bites>; Furedi, Frank, ‘Europe Migrant Crisis: Merkel’s standing trampled by flood of migrants, The Australian (22 January 2016) < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/europe- migrant-crisis-merkels-standing-trampled-by-flood-of-migrants/news- story/e2d8bc1db37cf0f7f786814fe6e4bf76> Gordon, Michael, ‘New UN human rights chief attacks Australia over asylum seeker rights 'violations'’, 7 September 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald, <http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/new-un-human-rights-chief- attacks-australia-over-asylum-seeker-rights-violations-20140907-10dlkx.html> Grant, Harriet and John Domokos, ‘Dublin regulation leaves asylum seekers with their fingers burnt’, The Guardian (8 October 2011) <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/dublin-regulation-european-asylum- seekers> Erasmus, ‘Diverse, desperate migrants have divided European Christians’, The Economist (6 September 2015) <http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/09/migrants- christianity-and-europe> ‘Europe’s closing borders: Support for free travel contingent on better law and order’, Wall Street Journal (7 January 2016) <http://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-closing-borders- 1452212006> Holehouse, Matthew, and Melanie Hall, ‘Refugees will freeze to death, EU warns’, The Telegraph (Brussels and Berlin), 25 October 2015 <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11954037/Refugees-will-freeze- to-death-warn-EU-head.html> Holland, Hereward, ‘Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015’ UNHCR (Lesvos, Greece), 30 December 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html>
  • 23. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 23 of 31 Human Rights Law Centre, ‘International Community Condemns Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers during major human rights review at UN’, (Nov 2015) <http://hrlc.org.au/international-community-condemns-australias-treatment-of-asylum- seekers-during-major-human-rights-review-at-un/>; Karlsen, Elibritt, ‘Australia’s offshore processing of asylum seekers in Nauru and PNG: a quick guide to the statistics’ (Research Paper Series, 2015-16, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2015) Karlsen, Elibritt, ‘Refugee resettlement to Australia: What are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series, 2014-15, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, February 2015) Kenny, Chris, ‘Changing the truth: digital media is distorting mainstream coverage’, The Australian, (Sydney) 21 December 2013, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/changing-the-truth-digital-media-is- distorting-mainstream-coverage/story-fn8qlm5e-1226787762364> Lyons, Patrick J, ‘Explaining the Rules for Migrants: Borders and Asylum’, The New York Times, (16 September 2015) <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/world/europe/europe- refugees-migrants-rules.html?_r=0> Maguire, Amy, ‘Why does international condemnation on human rights mean so little to Australia?’ 4 February 2016, The Conversation, <http://theconversation.com/why-does- international-condemnation-on-human-rights-mean-so-little-to-australia-53814> Maley, Paul and Peter Alford, ‘Smugglers' distress call rescue tactic’, The Australian, 12 July 2012, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/smugglers-distress- call-rescue-tactic/story-fn9hm1gu-1226423932962> Matthews, Antonia, ‘Not so liberal now: Europe’s open doors closing fast’, CNBC – Europe News, (6 January 2016) <http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/06/not-so-liberal-now-europes- open-doors-closing-fast.html> McCathie, Andrew, ‘European Migrant Crisis: Young asylum seekers could be solution to Germany’s economic challenges’, ABC News (Berlin) 16 September 2015 <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-09/europe-refugee-crisis-could-be-germany- economic-silver-lining/6760756> Malm, Sara, ‘Syrian wives and mothers left behind condemn men who have fled the country…’, Daily Mail Australia, (8 October 2015) <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article- 3263593/Syrian-wives-mothers-left-condemn-men-fled-country-ask-free-protect-wrong- leave-country.html> Melchior, Jillian Kaye ‘Why so many of Europe’s migrants are men?’, National Review, (12 October 2015) <http://www.nationalreview.com/article/425398/why-europes-migrants-are- men
  • 24. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 24 of 31 Miles, Tom, ‘Children on Syrian refugee route could freeze to death: UN’, Reuters (Geneva), 19 January 2016 <http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-winter- idUSKCN0UX1SB> Mohdin, Aamna, ‘When refugee camps last for three generations, we must accept they’re going nowhere’, SBS News (2 December 2015) <http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/01/when-refugees-camps-last-three- generations-we-must-accept-theyre-not-going> ‘NATO’s role in relation to the conflict in Kosovo’ NATO (15 July 1999) <http://www.nato.int/kosovo/history.htm> Neske, Mattias, ‘Human Smuggling to and through Germany’, (2006) International Migration, 44(4), 121-163 ‘Older Syrian refugees ‘forgotten’ by aid agencies’, Age International <https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/latest-news/Older-Syrian-refugees-forgotten-by-aid- agencies-claims-new-report--/> Owens, Jared, ‘UN Human rights review slams Australia’s asylum seeker policies’ 12 November 2015, The Australian, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/un- human-rights-review-slams-australias-asylum-seeker-policies/news- story/29a4c5e8b0ecf94a327f7fe822dfec07> Peter, Laurence, ‘Migrant Crisis: Who does the EU send back?’ BBC News, (9 September 2015) <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34190359> Phillips, Janet, ‘A comparison of Coalition and Labor Government Asylum Policies in Australia since 2001’ (Research Paper Series, 2013-14, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2014) Phillips, Janet, ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: a quick guide to key Parliamentary Library publications’ (Research Paper Series, 2013-14, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2014) Phillips, Janet, ‘Asylum seekers and refugees: what are the facts?’ (Research Paper Series 2014- 15, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2 March 2015) Phillips, Janet, ‘Boat arrivals and boat ‘turnbacks’ in Australia since 1976: a quick guide to the statistics’ (Research Paper Series, 2015-16, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2015) Phillips, Janet, and Harriet Spinks, Boat arrivals in Australia since 1976; Migrant Smuggling Working Group (MSWG), ‘Statistics and other data’, MSWG website, http://www.law.uq.edu.au/migrantsmuggling-statistics
  • 25. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 25 of 31 Press Association, ‘Fresh battle awaits Cameron as EU plans to scrap ‘Dublin regulation’’, The Guardian (20 January 2016) <http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/20/fresh- battle-awaits-cameron-as-eu-plans-to-scrap-dublin-regulation> Rachel Reilly, ‘Disabilities among Refugees and conflict-affected populations’ Forced Migration Review (July 2010) <http://www.fmreview.org/disability-and- displacement/rachael-reilly.html> Rettner, Rachael, ‘Lung Donor System: How kids may slip through the cracks’, Live Science (6 June 2013) <http://www.livescience.com/37248-lung-donation-priority.html>. Henry Samuel, ‘Refugees shun France, land of red tape, unemployment and poor housing’, The Telegraph (Paris), 21 September 2015, <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11880391/Refugees-shun- France-land-of-red-tape-unemployment-and-poor-housing.html> Samuel, Henry, ‘Refugees shun France, land of red tape, unemployment and poor housing’, The Telegraph (Paris), 21 September 2015, <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11880391/Refugees-shun- France-land-of-red-tape-unemployment-and-poor-housing.html> Solana, Javier, ‘NATO’s Success in Kosovo’ (1999) Foreign Affairs 78(6), 114-120 Spinks, Harriet, ‘Destination Anywhere? Factors affecting asylum seekers’ choice of destination country’, (Research Paper 1, 2012-2013, Parliamentary Library, Parliament of Australia, 2013) The State of the World’s Human Rights’ (2015) Amnesty International Report 2014/15 Triggs, Gillian, ‘Australia's Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Endorsement or Repudiation?’ (1982) 31 British Institute of International and Comparative Law 2, 278-306 UNHCR, ‘Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015’, UNHCR (online), 30 December 2015 <http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html> Williams, George, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch (eds), Ch 20 – International Law and the External Affairs Power in ‘Australian Constitutional Law and Theory’, 6th ed (2014 Federation Press) ‘Worldwide displacement hits all time high as war and persecution increase’ UNHCR (Geneva), 18 June 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/558193896.html> Zolberg, Aristide R., ‘Changing Sovereignty Games and International Migration’ (1994) Fall Global Legal Studies Journal 2(1), 153-169
  • 26. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 26 of 31 B. Cases CPCF v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 89 ALJR 207 Jago v District Court of New South Wales (1988) 12 NSWLR 558 M38/2002 v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCAFC 131 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33 Plaintiff M61/2010E v Commonwealth of Australia &Ors/Plaintiff M69 of 2010 v Commonwealth of Australian & Ors [2010] HCA 42 Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] HCA 1 Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2011] HCA 32 R v Baco (2011) 29 NTLR 221 C. Legislation Australian Border Force Bill 2015 (Cth) Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (Imp) Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force) Bill 2015 (Cth) Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth) Maritime Powers Act 2013 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Bill 2015 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth)
  • 27. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 27 of 31 Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth) Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015 (Cth) Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth) Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth) Migration Act 1958 (Cth) Migration Bill 2013 (Cth) Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (Cth) Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) D. Treaties Charter of the United Nations, opened for signature 26 June 1945, 1 UNTS XVI (entered into force 24 October 1945) Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, opened for signature 10 December 1984, 1465 UNTS 85 (entered into force 26 June 1987) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature, 7 November 1967, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 18 December 1979) Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for signature 28 July 1951, 189 UNTS 137 (entered into force 22 April 1954) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, opened for signature 30 March 2007, 2515 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 May 2008) Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990) International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, opened for signature 20 December 2006, UN Doc A/RES/61/177 (entered into force 23 December 2010) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976).
  • 28. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 28 of 31 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 999 UNTS 302; (entered into force 23 March 1976) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, opened for signature 21 December 1965, 660 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969). International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, opened for signature 18 December 1990, 2220 UNTS 3 (entered into force 1 July 2003) Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, opened for signature 15 November 2000, GA Res 55/25, 2241 UNTS 507 (entered into force 28 January 2004) Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for accession 31 January 1967, 606 UNTS 267 (entered into force 4 October 1967) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, opened for signature 15 November 2000, 2237 UNTS 319 (entered into force 25 December 2003) Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331 (entered into force 27 January 1980) E. Other ‘Asylum and Migration – Statistics Illustrated’, Eurostat, <http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed-migration/statistics-illustrated> ‘Asylum Quarterly Report – Statistics Explained’, Eurostat, (10 December 2015) <http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report> Applicability of the Obligation to Arbitrate under Section 21 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement of 26 June 1947 (Advisory Opinion) [1988] ICJ Rep 12 Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 30 September 2010, 271 (Robert McClelland) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 12 December 2013, 2590 (Scott Morrison)
  • 29. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 29 of 31 Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 27 March 2014, 3328 (Scott Morrison) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 June 2014, 7278 (Scott Morrison) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 September 2014, 10325 (Scott Morrison); Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 14 October 2014, 11120 (Peter Dutton) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 25 February 2015, 1201, 1204, 1208 (Peter Dutton) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 June 2015, 7488 (Peter Dutton) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 16 September 2015, 10343 (Peter Dutton) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 10 February 2016, 9 (Peter Dutton) Commonwealth, Parliamentary Debates, Senate, 28 October 2014, 7974 (Fiona Nash) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, Treaty making process, <http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/treaties/treaty-making-process/pages/treaty- making-process.aspx> Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Asylum trends, Australia 2010–11, DIAC, Canberra, 2011, p. 26, <http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/asylum/_files/asylum-trends-aus- annual-2010-11.pdf> Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Australian Government, Asylum Trends Australia: 2012-13 Annual Publication (2013) Explanatory Memorandum, Australian Border Force Bill 2015 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014 (Cth)
  • 30. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 30 of 31 Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia’s Protection Obligations) Bill 2013 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Bill 2015 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Amendment Bill (No 1) 2015 (Cth); Explanatory Memorandum, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Bill 2013 (Cth) Explanatory Memorandum, Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 (Cth) International Law Commission, ‘Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts’ (UN Doc Supplement No 10 (A/56/10), United Nations, 2001) Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, <http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Human_Rights> Parliament of Australia, Transcript of the Hon. Tony Abbott MHR joint doorstop interview with Mr Craig Laundy, Liberal candidate for Reid, Sydney, 12 July 2012, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2 Fpressrel%2F1829854%22 ‘Patient Info: Organ Donation: Kidney transplants and organ transplantation’, Patient, <http://patient.info/doctor/organ-donation-pro>. The Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders Policy, Liberal Party of Australia, July 2013 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Issue Paper: A Short Introduction to People Smuggling, Un Doc (2010)
  • 31. LAWS2026 Sue Stone ID: 100000922 Migration Law - Assignment 2 Page 31 of 31 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum levels and trends in industrialized countries 2011: statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected non-European countries, UNHCR, 2012, <http://www.unhcr.org/4e9beaa19.html> United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum levels and trends in industrialized countries 2014: statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected non-European countries, UNHCR, 2015, <http://www.unhcr.org/551128679.html> United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Indonesia Factsheet, August 2015, UNHCR website <http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e488116.html> United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Malaysia Factsheet, August 2015, UNHCR website <http://www.unhcr.org.my/Resources-@-Fact_Sheets_.aspx> United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Refugees/Migrants Emergency Response – Mediterranean Regional Overview, (2016) UNHCR <http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php>. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Syria Regional Refugee Response - Interagency Information Sharing Portal’ (17 February 2016) <http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php#>