Mr OPPERMAN (CORIO, VICTORIA) (Minister for Immigration)
- I appreciate the point that the honorable member has raised. It has been considered from time to time. It concerns people; it is a human problem. If the reasons for refusals were given, from time to time extreme embarrassment would be caused to the relatives concerned. Much more embarrassment would be caused than is caused by refusing entry into Australia. We have our immigration system, and we have our medical and other standards which have to be met. We reserve the right to say, after due consideration, whether people can enter Australia. I assure the honorable member that the Department of Immigration gives very sympathetic consideration to these cases and derives no pleasure from the fact that it has to come to decisions not to allow people to enter. However, I assure him that at times the disadvantages that would result from giving the full reasons would outweigh those of not giving the full reasons. I also assure him that I do not intend to recommend that the present practice be changed.
