Senator Nettle asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 18 November 2002:

(1) Will the Minister consider changing Australia's refugee program to allow groups to sponsor Falun Gong practitioners, who live in fear of persecution, to come to Australia, as has occurred in Canada.

(2) If such a change will not be considered, why does the Minister think it is inappropriate.

Senator Ellison (Minister for Justice and Customs) —The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) I am advised that the Canadian Government has no special provisions either for the resettlement from overseas of, or the granting of asylum to, Falun Gong practitioners fearing persecution. The Australian Government has no plans to introduce any provisions of this kind.

(2) There is no need to create special provisions for particular groups. Existing legislative arrangements are non-discriminatory and hence capable of application to a very wide range of claims and groups of people facing persecution.