SA: No state funding needed for freed boat people Ruddock

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2000
SA: No state funding needed for freed boat people Ruddock

Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK says the federal government will provide all that
is required for illegal immigrants released from the Woomera detention centre.

Answering criticism from South Australian Premier JOHN OLSEN that the state will face
a huge bill for health and housing costs, Mr RUDDOCK says any state funding will be counter-productive.

Mr RUDDOCK says the federal government provides access to Medicare, a means-tested
special benefit and rent assistance for illegal immigrants who are released on temporary
visas.

He says the government meets all international requirements and anything extra would
encourage potential refugees to arrive illegally rather than apply for refugee status
from outside Australia.

But Mr OLSEN, who says 90 per cent of illegal immigrants at Woomera are to be released
next month, says those released on temporary visas should receive the basic services available
to other refugees.

AAP RTV scl/wz/jn t

KEYWORD: ILLEGALS RUDDOCK (ADELAIDE)

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